THE APAR. 741 



feet long. The teeth are very remarkable, there being from sixteen to 

 eighteen small molars on each side of the jaws. The tail is about seven- 

 teen inches long, and tapers gradually to a point from the base, at which 

 spot it is nearly ten inches in circumference. This member is covered 

 with regularly graduating horny rings, and when dried and hollowed, is 

 used as a trumpet by the Botocudos. The Tatou is found in Brazil and 

 Surinam. 



GENUS XENURUS. 



The Tatouay, Xcmirus unicinctus, is mostly remarkable for the un- 

 defended state of its tail, which is devoid of the bony rings that encircle 

 the same member in the other Armadillos, and is only supplied with a 

 coating of brown hair. For about three inches of the extremity the 

 under-side of the tail is not even furnished with hair, but is quite naked, 

 with the exception of a few rounded scales. 



GENUS DASYPUS. 



The Armadillo, Dasypus sexcinctus (Plate LXI), is about two feet 

 long, and is protected by a coat of six rings of armor-plates. It lives in 

 burrows about two yards long, which, at the entrance, only admit the 

 creature's body, but enlarge in the interior, where it can turn round. 

 Here it passes most of its time. As it is a nocturnal animal, its eyes are 

 more fitted for the dark than for the bright glare of sunlight, which 

 dazzles the creature, and sadly bewilders it. If it should be detected on 

 the surface of the ground, and its retreat intercepted before it can regain 

 its hole, the Armadillo rolls itself up, and tucking its head under its 

 chest, draws in its legs and awaits the result. When taken in hand, 

 it kicks so violently with its powerful legs, that it can inflict severe 

 lacerations with the digging claws. 



GENUS TOLYPEUTES. 



The Apar, Tolypeutes tricinctus, is remarkable for the solid manner in 

 which its armor is attached. It is sometimes called the Matako or the 

 Bolita, from its rolling itself into a ball. It measures about eighteen 

 inches in length. The three rings which characterize it gradually nar- 



