THE ARMADILLO. 433 



he finds a burrow, puts a short stick down it. If a number 

 of insects come out, he knows there is an animal within. 

 When he finds no mosquitoes, he is sure there is no arma- 

 dillo. If he is satisfied that the armadillo is at home, he cuts 

 a long, slender stick, and introduces it into the hole, carefully 

 observing the line which it takes, and then sinks a pit in the 

 sand to catch the end of it. This done, he puts it further 

 into the hole, and digs another pit ; till he at last comes up 



TUE POYOU, OR COMMON ARMADILLO. 



with the poor armadillo which has been making a passage in 

 the sand, till, from its exertions, it has lost all its strength. 



The armadillo feeds on all vegetable or animal matter not 

 too hard for its sharp teeth. It is especially useful in devour- 

 ing the offal or the putrid carcasses of animals which might 

 otherwise affect the air. In spite of this coarse style of feed- 

 ing, its flesh is esteemed by the natives who for the sake of it 

 perseveringly hunt the poor creature throughout the country. 



(379) 28 



