CLASS I. MAMMALIA: ORDER 8. EDENTATA. 



4:6'.) 



and in some degree gliding over one another according to the different motions of the animal. It 

 is observed that the full-grown specimens always have the greatest number of bands, which renders 

 it extremely probable that new bands are detached from the bucklers as they are required by the 

 increasing growth of the animal. The buckler of the head descends from the ears to the muzzle, 

 and covers each cheek as far down as the orbits ; and there are small detached scales interspersed 

 in various situations over the throat, the under-jaw, the legs, and feet, and even on the outer side 

 of the ears. The tail is extremely long and taper ; it is composed of a great number of osseous 

 rings forming a long tubular case, and connected like the joints of a cane. Although this animal 

 is not gifted with a fighting propensity, it will sometimes bite severely. It is endowed with great 

 strength, and a tame one has been known to remove quite heavy boxes in order to form a re- 

 treat. It usually walks very slowly, but in case of extremity it runs quite fast. Its power of 

 burrowing is very great. When occupied in this work, it often utters a faint squeak. Its favor- 

 ite food is ants, but it diversifies its meals with vegetables and carrion, like the rest of its race. 

 Its color is a reddish-brown, but as a portion of dust usually adheres to its shell, it generally ap- 

 pears much darker. It produces from three to four young at a time. It is usually hunted at 

 night with dogs. This species is very abundant in Nicaragua : the inhabitants there often domes- 

 ticate it for the purpose of keeping their houses clear of ants. It is said to be so abundant there 

 as to be sold for six or eiffht cents each. 



Another species of this genus is found in Paraguay and the neighboring countries, called the 

 Mule Armadillo, Dasypus hybridus, which has from six to seven bands, and is smaller in size 

 than the preceding, being only eleven inches long. It is common in the pampas of Buenos Ayres. 



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THE MATACO. 



Genus APAR : Tolypeutes. — This includes the Mataco, Apara, or Three-banded Armadillo 

 — the Dasypus tricinctus of Linnseus, the T. tricinctus of Gervais. It is about fifteen inches long, 

 and having the faculty of rolling itself into a ball, is called Belita, or the Little Ball, by the 

 Spaniards. This is in fact its usual mode of escape or defense, as the animal does not burrow, 

 and has not sufficient speed for flight. The movable bands connecting the bucklers on the 

 • shoulders and rump are but three in number. . ♦ 



The Conic-tailed Apar, T. conurus, is of this genus, and is found in Brazil. 



Genus CHLAMYPHORUS : Chlamyphorus. — The animals of this genus are the smallest of 

 the armadillos, and their covering is more simple in its construction than that of any others. 

 There is but a single species — the Pichiciago of the Indians of Mendoza, in South America, 

 where it is found — C. truncatus. It is but about five inches long, and passes a great part of the 

 time in its burrow, whence it is often compared to the moles. The female is said to carry her 



