78 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Utility of the flesh, shells, &c. 



lake*, and low moist grounds, which they fre- 

 quent. 



A small species of dogs are also bred by the 

 natives to the chase of the armadillo, which 

 quickly overtake it, especially if it happen to 

 stray to any distance from its hole. Of this, 

 however, it is very cautious. 



The flesh of the smaller kind is said to be very 

 delicate; in consequence of which it is perse- 

 cuted and pursued with unremitting industry. 

 The shells are also manufactured by the Indians 

 into boxes, baskets, and other useful ornamental 

 articles. Their swiftest motion is a kind of quick 

 walk, but they can neither leap, run, nor climb 

 trees, so that if found in an open place, they 

 have little chance of effecting their escape. 



It is reported that the armadillo has no appre- 

 hensions from the rattle snake, as they frequently 

 live in the same hole or burrow for a long time 

 together, on terms of the most perfect amity. 



The armadillo is a native of the New World, 

 and is principally found in the hottest parts of 

 South America; yet jt seems capable of subsist- 

 ing in temperate regions. Buffon says, he for- 

 merly saw one domesticated in Languedoc 

 which was regularly fed at home, and took his 

 regular rounds, without doing the least mischief, 



" The species," says Shaw, t( are often deter- 

 mined by the number of shelly zones on the 

 body ; in enumerating these, however, it is re. 



