226 QUADRUPEDS COVERED 



so many species, each marked with its own parti- 

 cular name. In all, however, the animal is par- 

 tially covered with this natural coat of mail ; the 

 conformation of which affords one of the most 

 striking curiosities' in natural history. This shell, 

 which in every respect resembles a bony sub- 

 stance, covers the head, the neck, the back, the 

 sides, the rump, and the tail to the very point. 

 The only parts to which it does not extend are, 

 the throat, the breast, and the belly, which are 

 covered with a white soft skin, somewhat resemb- 

 ling that of a fowl stripped of its feathers. If 

 these naked parts be observed with attention, 

 they will be found covered with the rudiments 

 of shells, of the same substance with those which 

 cover the back. The skin, even in the parts that 

 are softest, seems to have a tendency to ossify ; 

 but a complete ossification takes place only on 

 those parts which have the least friction, and are 

 the most exposed to the weather. The shell, 

 which covers the upper part of the body, differs 

 from that of the tortoise, in being composed of 

 more pieces than one, which lie in bands over 

 the body, and, as in the tail of the lobster, slide 

 over each other, and are connected by a yellow 

 membrane in the same manner. By this means 

 the animal has a motion in its back, and the ar- 

 mour gives way to its necessary inflexions. These 

 bands are of various numbers and sizes, and from 

 them these animals have been distinguished into 

 various kinds. In general, however, there are 

 two large pieces that cover, one the shoulders, 

 and the other the rump. In the back, between 



