464 



VERTEBRATA. 



en/ »"/ whence its name. It is tenacious of life, and will move its legs half an hour after its 

 heart and bowels are taken out. There are many varieties of this species, among which is the 

 Yellow-faced Sloth, B. gularis. Certain naturalists hold that some of what are called varieties, 

 are in fact distinct species. 



THE COLLARED SLOTH. 



The GiiwKEior, or < "ollared Sloth, B. torquatus, has a naked face of a black color; the hair 

 is of a less withered look than that of the preceding; the forehead, temples, chin, and breast are 

 covered with reddish or rust-colored hair, slightly frizzled; on the crown of the head it is long 

 and yellow, and on the rest of the body, pale orange; but the most distinguishing mark of the 

 species is a large Mack collar which completely surrounds the neck. Beneath the outer coat 

 there is an inner one of very fine fur, which is of a dark brown color on the collar, but gradually 

 diminishes in intensity toward the croup, where it is entirely white. In other respects this spe- 

 cies resembles the Ai. It is found in Brazil. 



The Burnt-back Sloth, B. ustus, is chiefly distinguished by a faintish black line running along 

 the back, accompanied by a large spot of yellow or orange color on each side. 



THE PASYPIDES, OR ARMADILLOS. 



The name Armadillo was given by the Spaniards, and means clad in armor, which is descrip- 

 ti\ e of the bony crust or coat of mail with which these animals are covered. The Portuguese ap- 

 plied to them the term Encouberto, which has a similar signification, and is now used as the title 

 of one of the genera ; Tatou is the Brazilian name, and is used by French writers instead of Arm- 

 adillo. The scientific name J)as>/j)>is means hairy-foot, which was one of the old Greek names 

 for the hare or rabbit ; it is not descriptive of the animal in question, but it has become sanctioi 

 by custom, and se> its use is continued. 



The Armadillo- at first sight appear like reptiles, being of a broad squat form, and covered 

 with a sort of bony shell, reminding one of the carapace of the tortoise; but on examination we 

 find thai it is not, like that, one connected and solid framework, nor does it extend under the 

 belly. It consists of four part-, as follows : jlrst, a buckler covering the head and neck ; second, 

 a buckler covering the shoulders and a part of the hack; third, a buckler over the rum]': and 

 fourth, a series of broad hands across the loins. The form and relative size of these several part- 

 vary in different species, but this general arrangement is observed in all, with a single exception, 

 which we shall hereafter notice. 



The substance of winch this armor i> composed is of a bony or horny nature, somewhat like 



