THE AARD-VARK— THE ARMADILLO. 



609 



tentots. There arc several species, all very much resembling each other : their stout 

 body measures about five feet from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail, the 

 latter being nearly half the length of the body. 



THH AARD-VARE. 



The American Armadillos have many points in common with ihe myrmecophagi, 

 manides, and oryctcropi. They have neither fnre nor canine teeth, but a number of 

 conical grinders, and are distinguished by having the upper part of their bodies de- 

 fended by a complete suit of armor, divided into joints or bands, folding one over the 

 other like the parts of a lobster's tail, so as to accommodate themselves to all the mo- 

 tions of the animal. In life this shell is very limber, so that the armadillo is able to 

 go at full stretch, or to roll himself up into a ball as occasion may require. These 

 animals are very common both in the forests and in the open plains of South America, 

 where they burrow in the sand-holes like rabbits. The armadillo is seldom seen 

 abroad during the day, and when surprised he is sure to be near the mouth of his hole; 

 but after sunset he sallies forth in search of roots, grain, worms, insects, and other 

 small animals, and when disturbed, coils himself up in his invulnerable armor like the 

 hedgehog, or squats close to the ground, or, if he has time enough, escapes by digging 

 into the earth, a work which he performs with masterly dexterity. " As it often takes 

 a considerable time to dig him out of his hole," says Mr. Waterton, " it would be a 

 long and laborious business to attack each hole indiscriminately, without knowing 

 89 



