ANIMALS WITH ARMOUR 97 



constant burrowing endangered the foundations of the house where 

 it was kept as a pet. But if I had found it necessary to do away 

 with a pet, I should have been hard put to it to have had recourse 

 to the cruel proceedings above described. 



The Pangolin of India has a short tail, and the Phatagin of 

 West Africa a long one. Both animals resemble one another in 

 general habits and are nocturnal beasts. Some species of 

 Pangolins, however, are terrestrial and others partly arboreal, but 

 all are alike in regard to their breeding, only one or two young 

 ones being produced at a time. Mr. Finn says that in the case of 

 the Burmese species, the youngster rides on the base of the mother's 

 tail, clinging with its powerful claws. 



These scaly Ant-Eaters, as they may be called, vary in size, 

 the largest species being found in Africa. This attains a length 

 of six feet, so that it easily outvies the Armadillos in point of size. 

 The Indian species, however, is only about two feet in length. 



The burrows of the latter animal are constructed to a depth 

 of from "eight to twelve feet below the surface, and terminating 

 in a large chamber, which may be as much as six feet in diameter. 

 Here a pair of these animals take up their abode, and in the Winter 

 or early Spring give birth to their young." 



When first born the young ones are covered with soft scales, 

 but, although born underground, and it is reasonable to suppose 

 that such is the case, it does not appear to have yet been ascertained 

 whether the youngsters are born blind. This opens up an interest- 

 ing branch of natural science that has not received as much attention 

 as the subject deserves. It has already been pointed out that the 

 young of the Rabbit are born blind, and that this prolific rodent 

 constructs a nest below the surface, but that the young of the Hare 

 are born above ground and with their eyes wide open. 



Attention might be devoted by the young naturalist to this 

 phase in the life-history of other mammals, for the results could 

 not fail to be of interest and service, whilst further information 

 on the subject among our bird and other animal friends would 

 also be of advantage. 



COMMON PORCUPINE.— The Porcupines are well entitled to 

 inclusion among animals with armour. They have a wide 

 geographical range, and are at once distinguished by the quill-like 

 spines in the skin. They are mostly stoutly-built animals, with 

 short, broad faces, and the grunting Pig-like cry accounts for the 



