186 NATURAL HISTORY. 



The next two Armadillos to be noticed were formerly included in the same group as the Poyou, 

 but as they have not the incisor teeth on the intermaxillary bones, they are placed in the sub-division 

 Euphractes. 



THE PELUDO, OR HAIRY ARMADILLO.* 



The long, silky, half bristly, abundant black hairs of this little Armadillo are the principal 

 characteristics, which separate it, so far as its external construction is concerned, from the Poyou just 

 noticed. It is smaller, however, the head measuring nearly four inches in length, and the whole 

 body about two inches less than Dasypus sexcintus. The ears are long, large, and elliptical, and are 

 pointed outwards, and the muzzle is broad. The forehead is broad and covered with rugged 

 scales. The bands are six or seven in number, and the border of the shield, as well as that of the 

 movable bands below, is indented in a remarkable manner, and forms sharp, regular points. There 

 are eight teeth on each side, above and below, and the body, hairy as it is, is much scaled in- 

 teriorly and on the limbs. The tail is long and slender, and only hairy at the root. This species 

 does not inhabit Paraguay, nor probably is it found in the Brazils, but it exists in multitudes in the 

 Pampas north of the Rio Plata, and Mr. Darwin noticed it in Chili. Its habits, according to that 

 most accurate observer, are nocturnal, but D'Azara, to whom natural history owes very careful descrip- 

 tions, states that " in an expedition which I made into the interior, between the parallels of 35" and 

 36 south latitude, I met with vast multitudes of this species of Armadillo, so that there was scarcely 

 an individual of the party who did not daily capture one or two at least ; for, unlike the Poyou, which 

 moves abroad only at night, this animal is to be found at all times, and if alarmed, promptly con- 

 ceals himself, if not intercepted. In March and April, when I saw them, they were so extremely fat 

 that their flesh surfeited and palled the appetite ; notwithstanding which, the pioneers and soldiers ate 

 them roasted, and preferred them to beef and veal. This Hairy Armadillo, like others of the genus, 

 has undoubtedly a very acute sense of smell, since it scents the carcases of dead Horses from 

 a great distance, and runs to devour them ; but as it is unable to penetrate the hide, it burrows 

 under the body until it finds a place which the moisture of the soil has already begun to render 

 soft and puti-id. Here it makes an entrance with its claws, and eats its way into the interior, 

 where it continues feasting on the putrid flesh, till nothing remains but the hide and bones, and 

 so perfectly do these preserve their position, that it is impossible, from a mere external view, to 

 anticipate the operations which the Armadillos have been carrying on within." The same author 

 states that this species never constructs burrows to reside in, that it avoids low, damp situations, and 

 is found only on the dry upland plains. Probably there is more than one Hairy Armadillo. 



THE PICHIY.t 



This little Armadillo is only fourteen inches long, tail included ; its scaling is very handsome, and 

 there are six or seven bands according to the individual and age. The head is covered with close scales, 

 which are elliptical behind, and concealed under the others in front, and the whole top has a triangular 

 outline, hiding the eye much. The scales on the front shield are large, and are hexagonal or pentagonal, 

 and the croup shield has the angular endings noticed in the last species. The scales of the bands and 

 of the shields generally are beautifully ornamented with lines, depressions, and little tubercles, which 

 are more or less concentric. There is some hair on the long neck, and on the legs and tail. The five 

 digits and claws on the fore limbs are moderately developed, for the thumb is very small, and the fourth 

 finger only a little longer. But the index is long, with a short claw, and the second has a stouter and 

 longer claw, and the third is shorter. It has a slender snout and small ears. 



Mr. Darwin writes that it "prefers a very dry soil and the sandy dunes of the coast of Chili, where 

 for many months it can never taste water. In soft soil, the animal burrows so quickly that its hind 

 quarters would almost disappear before one could alight from one's horse." It also inhabits the Pampas 

 to the south of Buenos Ayres, and extends from 36 lat. southward to the confines of Patagonia. It 

 inhabits burrows, to which, however, it does not confine itself during the day. Its flesh is said to be 

 remarkably tender and well tasting. It is a hardy species, and can live in the dreary solitudes of Port 

 Desire on the east coast. 



* Dasypus villosus (Desmarest). f Dasypus minutus (Desmarest). 



