290 CLASS MAMMALIA. 



under the plates surrounding the lower part of each eye, 

 there are about twelve hairs, much thicker than the rest, 

 which appear to be whiskers : adjoining the helmet and 

 over the neck, is a moveable band, composed of seven 

 long rectangular plates, and of one at each end of the band 

 of a triangular form ; on the shoulders, the plates form 

 anteriorly regular fixed bands, and posteriorly two other 

 bands, like the first ; all the intermediate plates are irre- 

 gularly placed. 



On the back there are seven moveable elongated bands, 

 similar to that band which terminates the armour on the 

 shoulders; but the plate which terminates each end of 

 each of these bands is longer than the rest, and narrower 

 at its commencement, that is, at the base of the preceding 

 plate, so that there is a small naked space at the bottom, 

 between each band. 



The armour on the crupper is composed of a band, free 

 at its extremities, but fixed in the middle, and then follow 

 nine fixed bands. All these bands are formed of plates 

 similar to those of the moveable bands, except only that the 

 plates diminish in length from the first to the last band, so 

 that those nearest to the tail become almost square. 



The tail, at its base, has a moveable ring of small round 

 plates, which appear almost rudimentary; then follow four 

 other rings of perfect plates, and the rest, that is about 

 three inches, is covered by semi-elliptic plates disposed 

 in checkers. 



The whole armour is of a pale white colour, and the 

 plates of which it is composed, except these of the head 

 and tail, which are smooth, are formed of tubercles thus 

 arranged ; in the middle is one of elongated oval form, and 

 round the edge of the plate there is a suite of three, four, 

 or five (according to the size of the plate) round tubercles; 

 the furrows or impressions which separate these tubercles 

 are deeper between the great central tubercle and the late- 



