24 STRANGE DWELJ.INGS. 



even those of the hind legs are remarkably strong in proportion 

 to the size of the animal. The fore paws are enormously large, 

 palm-shaped, and furnished with five strong, curved, and com- 

 pressed claws, so as to form admirable digging instruments. 

 The snout is rather long and pointed, and, as in the mole, the 

 eyes are very small, and hidden under the soft dense fur. 



It is a native of Chili, and seems to be of rare occurrence, 

 though it may probably be more plentiful than is generally 

 imagined, its subterranean habits and timid nature seldom per- 

 mitting it to be seen. Like the mole, it lives beneath the earth, 

 scooping out long galleries in the soil, and probably feeding upon 

 insects, worms, and grubs like the rest of the edentate animals. 



The chief point of interest which strikes an observer when 

 looking at a Pichiciago, is the cuirass with which its b«)dy is 

 defended. It is made and arranged in a very peculiar manner. 

 The cuirass looks as if a number of squared plates of horn had 

 been sewn upon short lengths of tape, and then the tape bands 

 laid side by side and fastened to each other. It is not fixed to the 

 animal throughout its whole extent, as might be supposed, but 

 is only attached along the spine, and on the top of the head. It 

 does not merely protect the back, but when it reaches the inser- 

 tion of the tail, turns suddenly downwards as if on hinges, and 

 forms a kind of flap over the hind-quarters, which are short and 

 square, as if abruptly cut off" by a perpendicular blow with a 

 sharp instrument. This arrangement aff'ords a perfect protec- 

 tion to the hind-quarters while the animal is burrowing, and 

 effectually repels any attack that might be made from the rear, 

 reminding the observer of the shell with which the testacella 

 is furnished. 



This coat of mail is as flexible as the chain or scale armour 

 of the olden times, and accommodates itself to every movement 

 of the animal. The rest of the body is covered with a coat of 

 soft, yellowish fur, nearly as fine as that of the mole, and much 

 longer, but not so dense. The scientific name of the Pichiciago 

 relates to the mail-clad body and the peculiar form of the hind- 

 quarters, the generic title signifying 'mantle-bearer,' and the 

 specific name, 'abruptly shortened.' 



