THE SHORT-TAILED MANIS. 43 



be found upon the savannahs of South America, feasting 

 greedily upon the bodies of the cattle which are slaughtered so 

 recklessly for the sake of their hides. In all these animals the 

 coat of mail is exceedingly hard, so hard indeed, that it is used for 

 sharpening the long Spanish knife, which is universally carried 

 by the Gauchos. 



Digging these animals out of their retreat is no easy business. 

 According to Mr. Waterton, the method adopted is simple, though 

 laborious. As the Armadillos burrow like rabbits in a warren, 

 the first point is to ascertain whether the inhabitant is at home. 

 This is done by pushing a stick into each hole, and watching for 

 mosquitos. If any of these troublesome flies emerge, the in- 

 habitant is at home ; if not, there is no use in searching further. 

 When the presence of an Armadillo is satisfactorily ascertained, 

 a long rod is thrust into the burrow in order to learn its direc- 

 tion, and a hole is dug in the ground so as to meet the end of the 

 stick. A fresh departure is taken from that point, the rod is 

 again introduced, and by dint of laborious digging the animal 

 is at last captured. 



Meanwhile, the Armadillo is not idle, but continues to burrow 

 in the sand, in hopes of escaping its persecutors. It cannot, 

 however, dig so fast as they can, and is at last obliged to yield. 

 Mr. Waterton mentions that he has been obliged to work for 

 three-quarters of a day, and to sink half a dozen pits before a 

 single specimen could be secured. 



If an Armadillo should be surprised, and its retreat to the 

 burrow intercepted, it at once sets to work at sinking a fresh 

 tunnel So fast, indeed, does it excavate, that if a horseman 

 sees one of these animals, he must almost tumble from his steed 

 if he wishes to capture the active creature. And, when he has 

 grasped it, he must be careful about his hands, or he will suffer 

 severe wounds from the powerful claws of the Armadillo. As 

 with the pichiciago,the coat of mail, which appears so hard and stiff 

 in the stuffed specimen, is perfectly flexible during life, enabling 

 the limbs of the animal to enjoy their full play, and even per- 

 mitting the owner to roll itself into a ball when it is threatened 

 with danger. 



The different species of Manis deserve a passing notice. They 

 are all burrowers, and are furnished with armour even better 



