MAMMALS. 



49 



free and open on the lower part of tlie sides. The tail is enveloped in whorls of plates, of which 

 twelve may be counted from the base, each one composed of two or three single whorls or 

 annuli between successive joints, the posterior one with the plates more elongated ; after this 

 the plates become imbricated, as in a plaited whip lash, without special joints. The plates on 

 the top of the head are sub-hexagonal, and of nearly eq^ual size. Those on the shoulders and 

 rump are rounded, and chiefly arranged so that one larger plate is surrounded entirely by 

 smaller ones; the plates on the rings are narrowly elongated triangular, the apices and bases 

 of the triangles alternating. 



As stated, the entire exterior of the animal is covered with plates ; those on the ear smallest ; 

 the under and inner surfaces are covered with granulations, arranged in transverse aeries. A 

 good many short stiff scattered hairs are seen to project from the under surface, as well as from 

 the edges of the sheets and annuli above. 



o 



In five specimens before me from Texas, three very young and two adult, there is a very great 

 constancy in the arrangement of the rings on the middle of the body ; of these, eight separated 

 narrow ones are visible on the middle of the back, and nine when counted on the side. In a 

 shell from Brazil, (2,195,) the breadth is greater in proportion, and there are nine separated 

 annuli above. The sculpturing also is slightly different. It is not at all impossible that a 

 careful comparison of perfect specimens from Texas and South America may reveal specific 

 differences. 



The skull has eight molars in each side of each jaw, or thirty-two in all. 



The nine banded armadillo has thus far been found to occur in the territory of the United 

 States only on the Lower Rio Grande, although extendinjj southward through Mexico, and if 

 identical with South American specimens, into Brazil and Paraguay. 



2859. Matamoras, Mexico. Lieut. Couch. — 230. Lower Rio Grande, Texas. J. H. Clark. 



" The inhabitantfl of the former Spanish colonies know the taCou commonly as the Armadillo or Encubierto. The people of the 

 country esteem its flesh; and the women attribnte imaginary properries to its shell. This animal i« mostly nocturaal in its 

 habits, rarely going out by day, near the settlements, except to search for food. It delights to dig large holes in the earth, 

 where it conceals flesh and vegetable substances. A viscous and transparent humor almost continually drops from its mouth. 

 This edentate is naturally stupid. It ii gifced with extraordinary strength, and when it has once taken hold in its burrow, 

 it is more easily torn to pieces than pulled out. 



'* I have sometimes seen these animals elevato a weight placed on their backs of almost a hundred pouods. 



"As the movements of this animal are very awkward, it seldom escapes the hunter who pursues it on the open plain ; but In 

 the mountains it rolls itself up, and thus transformed into a ball, on a declivity rapidly disappears, rolling over the stones. 



"A specimen of which I made a description was kept two or three months in our house. It frequented the kitchen, 

 where it lived on the refuse ; and if it came out sometimes in the day from its den, which it bad dug in the earth, it wa^ Dot 



long before it returned again to it. 

 "At will this animal can entirely conceal its head between its legs, as when it sleeps or when it is attacked/'— (Berlandier ) 

 **The occurrence of this animal any distance east of the Rio Grande is probably unknown, nor is it found higher up on this 

 river than the vicinity of Ringgold Barracks. It lives mostly in and about the banks of the river and the many lakes or old river 

 beds. It sleeps, for the most parti during the day, so drawing itself up that all of the few vulnerable parti are completely 

 protected by its armor. Among the inhabitants it is much sought after as food, and is considered a delicate dish. Its flavor is 

 similar to that of the "possum;" but less fat, more delicate, and altogether more palatable. It is inoflensive, baa a gentle 

 disposition, and can be handled with impunity. Once in the hands of its captor, it will play possum, allowing itself to be 

 carried leisurely by the tail, so that an unexpected and spasmodic jerk, such as it only is capable of giving, will release it from 

 the most vigorous grasp, particularly if there is any support for its feet. So rapid and vigorous are the movements of it» 

 powerful claws, that but a few minutes are necessary for the animal to melt away from your view in the most compact soil." 

 (J.H.Clark) 



7 m 



