THE ENCOUBERT. 383 



mammals, the encoubert, and others of its genus, are dressed 

 in hard, bony armour; hence they are called armadillo by 

 the Spaniards, and encouberto by the Portuguese. The armour 

 consists of a plate, which defends the head ; a large shield over 

 the shoulders, formed of small rectangular pieces, disposed in 

 transverse rows ; moveable transverse bands, consisting of 

 pieces more elongated -, a shield on the crupper, similar to 

 that on the shoulders 5 and bands on a portion of the tail. So 

 regularly arranged are the little pieces composing the armour, 

 that it appears like mosaic work, and, owing to its being 

 covered with a thin, transparent cuticle, it has a shining, var- 

 nished appearance. The legs and the under parts of the body 

 are covered with scaly warts, from which long hairs proceed. 

 All the feet have five toes, the three middle ones of which are 

 the longest. 



This animal resides in subterranean burrows, which it ex- 

 cavates with astonishing ease and rapidity, by means of its 

 large and strong claws. It possesses great strength, and runs 

 with considerable celerity. Waterton says it swims well in 

 time of need, but does not take the water voluntarily. 



It devours roots, grain, carrion, and insects. It does good 

 service by killing the more destructive species of ants j and, 

 to obtain them, this little knight in armour will charge and 

 overhaul the firmest and strongest of their habitations. The 

 movements of the several specimens, kept in an enclosure 

 at the Zoological Gardens, are highly amusing, and really 

 remind one of a burlesque tournament. There they are seen, 

 and, of course, in all their accoutrements, running to the 

 right and to the left, and then wheeling round and round 

 as fast as possible, running against or over any obstacle, 

 dead or alive, that stands in their way. All these feats they 

 repeat again and again, in the most mechanical manner, and 

 with a truly humourous mock air of great seriousness ; some- 

 times they leave off in the midst of their sports to dig in 

 a corner, and if a noise be made they suddenly stop, scratch, 

 and rear themselves up to listen, until generally they over- 



