1102 



DORSAL GLANDS IN ARMADILLOS. 



that which characterises these animals. Since the glands, judging 

 from external appearances, are equally developed in adults of both 

 sexes and appear at birth, there is no reason for thinking their 

 function is in any way sexual. Their smell may be sufficiently 

 nauseous to protect armadillos from enemies or it may act only 

 as a guide enabling these animals to track each other and keep 

 together. 



Text-fiff. 195. 



Drawing of the central portion of tlie pelvic carapace of the Six-banded Armadillo 

 (JSuphractus sexcinctus) with fonr glandular pits, suggesting the origin of 

 the pits from the enlargement and concrescence of the bristle-pores. 



"When the dorsal carapace of an armadillo is stripped, cleaned 

 and dried, the position of the glands is marked on the under side 

 of the pelvic shield by a row of bony prominences. Each pro- 

 minence represents a gland and is in reality a hollow bony pit 

 resulting from the ossification of the dermal layer immediately 

 beneath the gland. This at all events is the case in a carapace of 

 Eaphractihs sexcinctus kindly lent to me by Mr. R. E. Holding. In 

 this specimen there are seven free rings behind the scapular 

 shield, but the seventh is not so free as those that precede it. 



