﻿DR. J. MURIE ON THE THREE-BANDED ARMADILLO. 77 



is an intercalated incomplete row. The sixth row meets the fifth at the margin, but 

 there is an intercalated incomplete row at the side. The seventh and hindermost row is 

 parallel and contiguous with the sixth throughout. 



There are twenty-three scutes in the firsts and twenty-nine in the seventh row. 



The scutes of the first row are granulated on the surface, with bevelled and acute free 

 edges, and quadrate or pentagonal in contour. The other scutes are quadrate, penta- 

 gonal, or hexagonal. Those of the seventh, in the middle line especially, are considerably 

 longer than they are broad. 



The edges of the scutes which form the lateral margin of the shield are straight and 

 bevelled off, without projecting points. Here and there short hairs project from the 

 hinder edges of the scutes ; but this is more especially at the sides, the hairs being very 

 few and short or absent on the middle part of the shield. 



Movable Zones. — The scapular shield fits loosely from side to side, although its 

 parts are firmly united together. It is connected by a fold of soft and flexible integu- 

 ment with the anterior edge of the three movable zones ; and tliese zones arc similarly 

 united with one another, and with the anterior margin of the pelvic shield. 



The folds of skin are so disposed that each movable part overlaps that which lies 

 behind it. There are twenty-five scales in the first movable zone, and there are twenty- 

 seven in each of the others. The middle scales in each row are oblong, and O'O inch long 

 by O'o inch wide. They diminish in length at the sides, and lessen in width. The 

 two terminal ones differ from the others in being more nearly square, in hu\ Iiig their 

 posterior edges nearly free, and in being devoid of sculpture on their exterior. Tlie 

 lower scute of the second is almost triangular ; and a flat brush of long hairs projects 

 from the free marj»in of the integument beneath it ; but these terminal scutes are not 



Q^^^ „^ „^^^ ^^^v^g 



rccm-vcd or pointed. 



The total length of the middle scute of the anterior zone is 1-6 of an inch ; and of this 

 0*75 of an inch is covered by the scapular shield. 



:PeloiG Shield.— The pelvic shield is shaped like a quarter of an cg^, the small end 

 being posterior. It is very convex from side to side, and also from before backwards in 

 tho middle line of the back. It presents fifteen complete transverse rows of scutes, 

 extending right across the shield from one margin to the other. These scutes are for the 

 most part hexagonal and granular upon the surface. The marginal scutes have bevelled 

 edges; but only a few of those of the hindermost row present any points. They arc 

 tuberculated on the surface, except those on the margin ; and the tuberculation liiis often 

 a rosette-like pattern. 



The fifteen rows of scutes are all parallel, and in contact with one another, except the 

 middle portions of the fourteenth and fifteentli, between which is left n triangular space 



9 



occupied by one central scute, surrounded by seven others. 



The number of scutes in the fifteenth row is about thirteen. In the most anterior row 

 there are twenty-five scutes. The marginal scutes in this front row are bent-in differently 

 from the others, and have a certain resemblance to tlic corresponding scutes in the free 

 zones. 



The Tail.—rhe short tail is so broad and flattened at its base as to be almost triangular 



