130 THE ARMADILLO. 



the feet close to the belly, unites the extremities of the 

 head and tail, and presents to its antagonists a callous 

 ball upon which no impression can possibly be made. 

 The size of this animal varies greatly ; some are one 

 foot, and others three in length ; the tail is long, the nose 

 pointed, and on each foot it has four very strong claws, 

 with which it burrows deep in the earth ; and when 

 pursued, always tries to secure itself in its hole. The 

 flesh of the armadillo is thought very delicate, as they 

 live chiefly upon melons and different kinds of fruits. 



There are several other different species of these ani- 

 mals, which merely vary in size and divisions in the 

 shell ; some are larger than the armadillo, and others 

 rather less ; the former generally reside in a dry soil, 

 while the latter prefers that which is low and damp. 

 The tatu apara, the encoubert, the tuetta, the pig- 

 headed armadillo, the kabasson, and the weasel-headed 

 armadillo, are the different names under which they 

 are described. 



ANIMALS OF THE BAT KIND. 



Though many Naturalists have classed the bat as a 

 bird, they are no longer allowed to belong to that tribe ; 

 for their hair, their teeth, and bringing forth their young 

 alive, entitle them to a place in the quadruped class. 



The bat most common in England is about the size 

 of a mouse ; and those membranes that are usually de- 

 nominated wings, is an extension of the skin round 

 the body, stretched out like a sail, and supported by 

 the toes : this skin, which sustains it in the air, does 

 not extend to the animal's head ; and, when expanded, 

 bears a strong resemblance to the wings of a bird. The 

 body is covered with a short fur, of a mouse colour, 

 tinged with red ; the eyes are very small, and the ears 

 are exactly like those of a mouse. 



