294 CLASS MAMMALIA. 



This species is found south of Buenos Ayres, from thirty- 

 six degrees of south latitude to Patagonia. 



The Giant Armadillo is principally distinguishable on ac- 

 count of its large dimensions, when compared with the 

 other species. From the muzzle to the tail it measures 

 upwards of three feet six inches, and the tail is eigh- 

 teen inches more. The specific characters are stated 

 shortly in the Table. 



This species is found principally in the most northern 

 parts of Paraguay, where it is called the Great Black Wood 

 Armadillo, as it seldom quits the forests. It is this species, 

 in particular, which is referred to, as disinterring and de- 

 vouring the bodies of the dead. 



Of the Mule Armadillo, another new species, described 

 by D'Azara, we shall merely add here that it is said not to 

 dig burrows in the earth ; but even this statement is in- 

 sufficiently substantiated. The female brings forth from 

 eight to twelve, toward the month of October. 



The Three-banded Armadillo, Tatou, Apar of Buffon, is 

 remarkable among its congeners for the faculty of rolling 

 itself up more completely than the other species. It" can, 

 in so doing, totally conceal the head, the tail, and the fore- 

 feet, which none of the others can completely effect. This 

 species inhabits the vicinity of Buenos Ayres, a little south 

 of thirty-six degrees south latitude. 



The whole series of these very singular animals offer a 

 notable example of the exclusive locality of genera. We 

 have observed that they all belong to South America, for 

 Seba was certainly incorrect in referring one of the species 

 to Africa ; nor do we find in any parts of the old world, or, 

 indeed, in the great northern division of the new, any races 

 of quadrupeds which may be considered as analogous with 

 them, or as in any manner meriting even a comparison. 

 Hypothetical conjecture may amuse itself to a very consi- 



