200 



ANIMAL BIOLOGY 



the ground with surprising rapidity. If unable to escape 

 when pursued, its hard, stout tail and head are turned 



under to protect 

 the lower side of 

 the body where 

 there are no scales. 

 The three-banded 

 species (Fig. 366) 



lives in Argentina. 



Fig. 365. — Nine-banded Armadillo of Texas ^ ,, 



,.. , . ... . Compare the ears 



and Mexico. \Dasypus novemctnetus.) It is mcreas- : 



ing in numbers; it is very useful, as it digs up and and tail of the two 



destroys insects. (See Fig. 347.) 



' species ; give rea- 

 sons for differences. Why are the eyes so small? The 

 claws so large ? Order Why? 



Fig. 366. — Three-banded Armadillo {Tolypeutes tricinctus) . 



Insect Eaters. — The soft interior and crusty covering of 

 insects makes it unnecessary for animals that prey upon 

 them to have flat-topped teeth for grinding them to 



