262 



ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY 



The sloths are arboreal forms that move about with the deliberation 

 that might be expected from their names. They are vegetarians and, 

 except for some possible use as food, have no special economic value. 

 The armadillo is represented in Texas by one or two species. 

 The nine-banded armadillo, Dasypus (Tatusia) novemcinctus texanus, 

 Fig. 169, is a curious armor-covered little animal whose body is about 

 1 8 inches in length. It defends itself by vigorous use of its large claws, 

 rather than by rolling up into a ball as is commonly said. It is largely, 

 though not entirely, insectivorous and hence is useful to man. It is 



killed by the thousands annually, and 

 is made into the well-known Armadillo 

 baskets by removing the soft parts 

 and binding the tail around to the 

 mouth to serve as a handle. Doubt- 

 less it will sooner or later be exter- 

 minated by this ruthless slaughter. 



The armadillos are also used as 

 food and are said to be very palat- 

 able. 



Primates. Monkeys, Apes, 

 Man, Etc. This order, though it 

 contains the so-called " highest" of 

 the animals, is of comparatively little 

 economic importance unless we con- 

 sider man's importance to himself. 



Most of the Primates are arbo- 

 real animals, living in the warmer 

 parts of the world. Their limbs are usually prehensile because of the 

 fact that the pollex and hallux are opposable to the other digits. There 

 are almost always five digits ending in flat nails instead of sharp claws. 

 The clavicles are well developed and the orbit is completely surrounded 

 by a bony rim. There are nearly always two thoracic teats, and one 

 young is usually produced at a birth. Some of the Primates, like 

 the lemurs, are small and somewhat dog-like in form, others like the 

 orang-utan and the gorilla, Fig. 170, are larger and more man-like 

 in appearance. Many, like the common monkeys, Fig. 171, have a 

 long prehensile tail that is largely used in climbing; others like the 

 orang-utans, gorilla, and chimpanzee are tailless. Owing to the oppo- 



PIG. 170. The gorilla, Gorilla 

 gorilla. X/^5- (From Hegner, 

 College Zoology, after Flower and 

 Lydekker.) 



