DASVPODIDE 198 
monophyodont, but in one genus (Tatusia) a succession of teeth has 
been observed. Zygomatic arch of skull complete. Cervical vertebrae 
with extremely short, broad, and depressed bodies. The atlas free, 
but the second and third, and often several of the others, anky- 
losed together both by their bodies and arches. Lumbar vertebre 
with accessory zygomatic processes, and very large metapophyses, 
supporting the bony carapace. Clavicles well developed. A third 
trochanter on the femur. Tibia and fibula ankylosed at their distal 
extremities. Fore feet with strongly developed, curved claws, 
adapted for digging and scratching—three, four, or five in number. 
Hind feet plantigrade, with five toes, all provided with nails. 
Tongue long, pointed, and extensile, though to a less degree than 
in the Anteaters. Submaxillary glands largely developed. Stomach 
simple. Uterus simple. Placenta discoidal, deciduate. The brain 
is generally characterised by the large size of the olfactory lobes 
(Fig. 57), and the slight development of sulci on the hemi- 
spheres ; the sylvian fissure being represented only by a very open 
and shallow angle. From the earliest stage of development the 
stapes is stirrup-shaped, thus showing a nearer affinity to the higher 
mammals than is presented by the Sloths. 
The animals of this family are commonly called Armadillos, 
a word of Spanish origin, having reference to their armour-like 
covering. The existing species are all of small or moderate size. 
They are mostly, though not universally, nocturnal in their 
habits, and are all omnivorous, feeding on roots, insects, worms, 
reptiles, and carrion. Armadillos are harmless and inoffensive 
creatures, offering no resistance when caught, their principal means of 
escape from their enemies being the extraordinary rapidity with which 
they can burrow in the ground, and the tenacity with which they re- 
tain their hold in their subterranean retreats. Notwithstanding the 
shortness of their limbs they can run with great rapidity. Most of 
the species are esteemed good eating by the natives of the countries 
in which they live. They are all inhabitants of the open plains or 
the forests of the tropical and temperate parts of South America, 
with the exception of one species (Tatusia novem-cincta), which 
ranges as far north as Texas. Of the existing genera, Chlamy- 
dophorus stands apart from the rest in the formation of its external 
covering ; but in all other respects Tutusta is the most aberrant 
form, exhibiting a peculiar type of structure of the fore feet, which 
in all the others show modifications, though in very varying degrees, 
of a single and different type. 
The reproductive organs of the Dasypodide differ from those of 
the Sloths and Armadillos in the presence of a largely developed 
copulating organ in the male, and of a simple vagina of correspond- 
ing length in the female. The testes are still abdominal, although 
not in the same position; and the penis still wants both the glans 
