THE I'lCmCIAGO, 



41 



imagined, its subterraDcau habits and timid nature seldom per- 

 mitting it to be seen. Like the mole, it lives beneath the earth, 

 scooping out long galleries in the soil, and probably feeding upon 

 insects, worms, and grubs like the rest of the edentate animals. 



PICHICIAOO 



The chief point of interest which strikes an observer when 

 looking at a Pichiciago, is the cuirass with which its body is 

 defended. It is made and arranged in a very peculiar manner. 

 The cuirass looks as if a number of squared plates of horn had 

 been sewn upon short lengths of tape, and then the tape bands laid 

 side by side and fastened to each other. It is not fixed to the 

 animal throughout its whole extent, as might be supposed, but 

 is only attached along the spine, and on the top of the head. It 

 does not merely protect the back, but when it reaches the inser- 

 tion of the tail, turns suddenly downwards as if on hinges, and 

 forms a kind of flap over the hind-quarters, which are short and 

 square, as if abruptly cut off b)' a perpendicular blow with a 

 sharp instrument. This arrangement affords a perfect protec- 

 tion to tlie hind-ijunrters vliile the animal is liTiirow ini:. and 



