314 



CASSELL'S POPULAR NATURAL HISTORY. 



THE ARMADILLO.* 



animals are exclusively confiued to the wanner portions of America, and tlue specie* are 

 tolerably numerous, but none attain a very large size. Instead of hair, the Armadillos are covered 

 with a species of hard, bony crust, forming three bucklers, on the head, shoulders, and rump, 

 respectively, the two latter being connected by several transverse -movable bands, very similar in 

 form and appearance to the plate-armour of the middle ages, from which, indeed, these animals have 

 aeijiiircd their name, which is one of Spanish origin. These bucklers, likewise, liang down on each 

 i-idf, so as to form an effectual protection to the belly, and partially to cover the legs and feet; whilst 



TIIK AKMADILLO. 



the pliancy produced by the movable bands interposed between the bucklers of the rump and 

 shoulders, and which are themselves connected by the soft, pliant skin of the animal, permits the most 

 varied and rapid motions. The head is broad between the eyes, whence it runs to a pointed muzzle ; 

 the mouth is small ; the teeth are cylindrical, feeble, without true roots, set apart from each other, 



TEETH OF CACIIKA1ME. 



BRAIN OK AKMAIII 1.1.0. 



and, when the jaws are closed, mutually fit into the intenals. The tongue is smooth, slender, and 

 moderately extensible ; it is lubricated abundantly with a glutinous fluid. The animal is of 

 bun-owing habits. 



* Dasypua. 



