FAMILY LORICATA ; ARMADILLOS. 



279 



and the skin of the under surface of the body is very tough, and 

 is beset with long scattered hairs, of which some are also seen to 

 issue forth between the joints of the armour. The feet are 



peculiarly adapted for dig- 

 ging, in regard both to their 

 size and strength, and in 

 being terminated by very 

 strong and sharp claws. 

 The muzzle is pointed, and 

 the mouth small ; the teeth 

 are feeble and destitute of 

 true roots ; they are set 

 apart from one another, in 

 such a manner that, when 

 the jaws are closed, those of 

 each jaw fit into the inter- 

 vals between those of the 

 other. The tongue is smooth 

 and slender, and is moist- 

 ened with a glutinous saliva. 

 The Armadillos are burrow- 

 ing animals, and remain in their retreats during the day, issuing 

 forth at night in search of 

 food. They hasten to their 

 burrows when alarmed, and 

 seem to be peculiarly sensi- 

 tive to unusual sounds; when 

 they have gained their holes, 

 they stoutly resist any at- 

 tempt to draw them forth, 

 by clinging to the walls with 



their strong claws ; so that they have been known to leave their 

 tails in the hands of the hunters, who attempted thus to secure 

 them. When unable to gain their burrows, they either endea- 

 vour to dig a temporary place of refuge, or roll up their bodies 

 in such a manner, that almost every part is defended by their 

 strong coat of mail. Their food consists chiefly of succulent 



FIG. 142. FOOT OF ARMADILLO. 



FIG. 14a SKULL OF ARMADILLO. 



