SOUTH AMERICA. 185 



to sink half a dozen pits, seven feet deep, before I 

 got up to it. The Indians and negroes are very 

 fond of the flesh, but I considered it strong 

 and rank. 



On laying hold of the armadillo you must be 

 cautious not to come in contact with his feet : they 

 are armed with sharp claws, and with them he 

 will inflict a severe wound in self-defence : when 

 not molested, he is very harmless and innocent; 

 he would put you in mind of the hare in Gay's 

 fables, 



" Whose care was never to offend, 

 And every creature was her friend." 



The armadillo swims well in time of need, but 

 does not go into the water by choice. He is very 

 seldom seen abroad during the day ; and when 

 surprised, he is sure to be near the mouth of his 

 hole. Every part of the armadillo is well pro- 

 tected by his shell, except his ears. In life, this 

 shell is very limber, so that the animal is enabled 

 to go at full stretch, or roll himself up into a ball, 

 as occasion may require. 



On inspecting the arrangement of the shell, it 

 puts you very much in mind of a coat of armour ; 

 indeed it is a natural coat of armour to the arma- 

 dillo, and being composed both of scale and bone, 

 it affords ample security, and has a pleasing 

 effect. 



Often, when roving in the wilds, I would fall in The land 



Tortoiie. 



with the land tortoise ; he too adds another to 



