THE PEBA, OR TATOUHOU. 



769 



As the Armadillo is a nocturnal animal its eyes are more fitted for the dark than for 

 the bright glare of sunlight, which dazzles the creature, and sadly bewilders it. If it 

 should be detected on the surface of the ground, and its retreat intercepted before it 

 can regain its hole, the Armadillo rolls itself up as it best can, and tucking its head under 

 the chest, draws in its legs and awaits the result. Even when taken in hand it is not 

 without a last resource, for it kicks so violently with its powerful legs that it 

 inflict severe lacerations with the digging claws. The legs are wonderfully powerful in 

 comparison with the dimensions of the animal. I have seen an Armadillo run about 

 the ground with perfect ease, although it was carrying on its back three monkeys \\lio 

 had chosen to take their seats upon its mail-clad person. The Armadillo swims well, 

 but does not enter the water from choice. 



In spite of the unpleasant diet on which the animal feeds, its flesh is eaten by the 

 natives, and is held by them in some estimation. It is, however, very rank and strong 

 in flavor, and to European palates is rather disagreeable. The young of this animal 

 are from six to eight in number. 



ARMADILLO. Dasypus sexcinctus. 



ANOTHER curious species of Armadillo is the APARA, or MATACO (Tatusia tri- 

 cinctd), which is often found on the Pampas. It is remarkable for the solid manner in 

 which it is covered by its armor, there being only three bands in the centre of the 

 body, the remainder of the creature being sheltered under the horny plates. When 

 attacked, it can draw itself into a perfect ball, which is impervious to the teeth of pre- 

 daceous animals, for it is too large to be taken into the mouth and cracked, and is so 

 hard and smooth that the teeth glide harmlessly from its polished surface. The tail 

 is very short, and, with the head, can be completely enveloped in the shell. On ac- 

 count of its shape when rolled together the Spaniards call it the " Bolita," or little ball. 



The claws of this animal are feeble, and its legs weak, so that it is unable to burrow 

 in the ground, and depends for defence totally on its coat of mail, which is the more 

 required as it is a diurnal animal. 



The PEBA, or TATOUHOU (Tatusia septemcinctus], is a native of Guinea, Brazil, and 

 Paraguay, and is larger than either of the preceding species, being about thirty inches in 

 total length, the slender and tapering tail being fourteen or fifteen inches long. Its color 

 is a very dark brown-black, from which circumstance it is sometimes called the Black 



49 



