278 



FAMILY LORICATA j ARMADILLOS. 



discovered in North and South America ; from the size and 

 form of the claw, it was at first supposed to be that of a carni- 

 vorous animal ; but Cuvier rectified the error, and referred it to 

 this group. The Megalonyx seems to have been closely related 

 to the Megatherium in structure and habits, but to have been of 

 less dimensions ; its size was about that of an Ox ; but it was 

 much more solidly and heavily built. 



246. The Insectivorous Edentata may be divided into two 

 families, the LORICATA, or shielded animals, and the TRUE EDEN- 

 TATA, or strictly toothless animals. The former comprehends 

 the Armadillos and other animals allied to it ; to the latter 

 belong the Ant-eaters and Pangolins. 



247. The Armadillos are distinguished from all other Mam- 

 malia by the inclosure of their bodies in a bony armour ; this 

 consists, first, of a large triangular or oval plate on the top of 

 the head, which projects backwards, so as to cover the neck ; 

 secondly, of a large buckler over the shoulders, and a similar 



Fio. 14). PEBA, OR EIGHT-BANDED ARMADILLO. 



buckler over the haunches ; and thirdly, of a series of trans ver*-*- 

 bands which intervene between these, and are united to each 

 other in such a manner as to allow freedom of motion to the 

 body. Each of these separate portions consists of a number of 

 small pieces united together, like the separate portions of a 

 mosaic, or of a tesselated pavement. The tail, also, is covered 

 by a series of bony rings. The limbs, which are short and 

 thick, are almost entirely concealed by the edges of this armour ; 



