ARMADILLO. 87 



also eats animal substances, and vegetables that are 

 not decayed. Some gardeners hold the woodlouse 

 in great horror, and say that nothing is so hard or so 

 bitter that a woodlouse will not eat it. If the bark , 

 is removed from an ancient willow tree, any number 

 of these creatures may be discovered, in every stage of 

 existence, scuttling about in great fear at the un- 

 welcome light, and sticking close to the wood in 

 hopes that they may not be seen. Dried coats of the 

 woodlouse may be also seen, empty and bleached to 

 an ivory whiteness. They are night-feeders; and, 

 although they can run fast enough if disturbed, 

 walk very deliberately when only employed in 

 feeding. 



The Armadillo-woodlouse is very curious, and 

 easily recognised from its habit of rolling itself into a 

 round ball when alarmed, just like the quadruped 

 armadillo. Its habits are much the same as those 

 of the common woodlouse. Formerly the armadillo 

 was used in medicine, being swallowed as a pill in 

 its rolled-up state. I have seen a drawer half full 

 of these creatures, all dry and rolled up, ready to be 

 swallowed. 



On the preceding cut are two armadillo-like 

 animals, much resembling each other, but belonging 

 to different orders. Fig. a is the Woodlouse ; b, the 

 Pill Millepede, walking ; c, the same rolled up ; d is 

 the true Armadillo, walking; and e. the same creature 

 rolled up. 



