SLOTHS, ANT-EATERS AND ARMADILLOS 333 



are veritable armoured knights of the mammalian world. They 

 are rapid burrowers, the limbs and toes being admirably adapted 

 to this mode of life, and they appear to have a somewhat omnivorous 

 appetite, feeding upon insects, carrion, etc* While there are no 

 front teeth present, they have single cylindrical molar teeth in 

 the back of the jaw, of which, according to the species, there are 

 from seven or eight to twenty-five on each side of each jaw, so that 

 the term Edentata is singularly inapplicable to the Armadillos. 



The Great Armadillo (Dasypus gigas) lives in the forests of 

 Brazil and the northern parts of Paraguay and Surinam. In- 

 cluding the tapering tail, the animal measures some four feet in 

 length. Its claws are powerful, and the fore-limb and hand are 

 singularly modified to enable the animal to dig rapidly ; and 

 the speed with which the animal burrows into the ground, making 

 long and deep excavations in the soil, is really astonishing: It 

 feeds upon roots, fallen fruit, and insects, and is also said to have 

 a liking for carrion. 



The Poyou, or Yellow-footed Armadillo (Dasypus sexcinctus) 

 is an active little creature, measuring some sixteen inches from 

 nose to tail. It is a native of Brazil and Paraguay, where it is 

 fairly common. It has, for its size, a large head, flat, nearly tri- 

 angular on top, with pointed erect ears, and bright, sharp eyes, 

 giving the face an intelligent expression. Although the legs are 

 short, they are very strong, and the little animal, when chased, 

 dashes off at a surprising speed, and with its forearms burrows 

 into the ground with great rapidity. It is a bold, restless little 

 animal, and when disturbed comes out of its burrow and makes 

 a curious grunting noise rather like that made by a little pig. It 

 soon becomes tame in confinement, and makes a most amusing 

 and interesting little pet. 



The Peludo, or Hairy Armadillo (Dasypus villosus), is smaller 

 than the poyou, and inhabits the pampas north of the Rio Plata, 

 and Chili. Externally the chief point of distinction from the poyou 

 apart from its smaller size is the long, silky, half bristly, 

 and abundant black hair. Of its habits, Don d'Azara writes : 

 " In an expedition which I made into the interior, between the 

 parallels of 35 and 36 S. longitude, I met with vast multitudes 

 of this species of armadillo, so that there was scarcely an individual 

 of the party who did not daily capture one or two at least ; for. 



