THE ARMADILLO. 49 



tary animal, and the species seems to be very limited. 

 It has no particular cry, but sometimes utters a sort of 

 norting noise. 



THE ARMADILLO. 



Nature presents us with several species of this singular 

 genus : distinguished, however, by the number of bands 

 of which its covering is composed, rather than by any 

 peculiarity in form and manners ; for which reason I shall 

 confine myself to the general description of the kind. 



The armadillo is an inhabitant of South America : and 

 is perfectly harmless and inoffensive ; presenting only its 

 covering by way of repelling external injuries, and never 

 seeking to molest other animals. 



Like the tortoise, it is covered with a shell, or rather 

 a number of shells, which at first view prevents its true 

 proportions from being accurately discerned. It appears 

 i round mis-shapen mass, with a long head and a very 

 large tail : the size varies from one to three feet in length ; 

 but the body is universally covered with a shell, divided 

 into several pieces folding over each other, not unlike the 

 tail of a lobster. This shell is of a bony substance ; and 

 leaves no vulnerable part except the throat, the breast, 

 and the belly : even these two are projected by a white 

 skin more or less ossified. The bands of this coat of 

 mail, sliding over each other by means of a connecting 

 <nembrane, give the animal every necessary power of 

 i nflection and motion. Still, on the approach of danger, 

 it does not confide solely in its external covering; but 

 withdrawing its head into its armour, it presents frhe 

 appearance of a ball somewhat flattened on each side, 

 which may be tossed about without injury. The Indians, 

 however, who are particularly fond of its flesh, lay it 

 close to the fire ; when the poor animal is thus compelled 

 to expand itself, and submit to its fate. 



Not a single species of the armadillo has ever been dis- 

 covered in the Old World ; yet this animal can bear the se- 

 verity of our cold climates without any apparent inconve- 



D 



