THE ARMADILLO.—ANT-EATERS. 219 
on the shoulders, and the third on the hind-quarters. These plates are con- 
nected by a series of bony rings, variable in number, overlapping each other, 
and permitting the animal to move treely. 
THE common ARMADILLO, or PoYOU, is about twenty inches in total length, 
the tail occupying some six or seven inches. It is very common in Par gtay, 
but is not easily captured, owing 
to its remarkable agility, per- 
severance, and wariness. En- 
cumbered as it appears to be 
with its load of plate-armour, it 
runs with such speed that it can 
hardly be overtaken by a quick- 
footed man, and if it should con- 
trive to reach its burrow, it can 
never be got out except by dint 
of hard work. ZN 
The food of the Armadillo is y : AY = SS; 
nearly as varied as that of the Ge ae, GL ES I 
swine, for there are few eatable A Zao 
substances, whether vegetable ARMADILLO. —(Dasypus sexcinctus.) 
or animal, which the Armadillo 
will not devour, provided they are not too hard for its little teeth. Various 
roots, potatoes, and maize are among its articles of vegetable diet, and it 
also will eat eggs, worms, insects, and small reptiles of every description. 
Whenever wild cattle 
are slain, the Arma- 
dillo is sure to make 
its appearance in a 
short time, for the pur- 
pose of devouring the 
offal which the hunter 
leaves on the ground. 
It is not at all parti- 
cular in taste, and de- 
vours the half-putrid 
remains with great 
eagerness, becoming 
quite fat on the revolt- 
ing diet. 
As the Armadillo is 
a nocturnal animal, its 
eyes are more fitted 
for the dark than for 
the bright glare of sun- 
light, which dazzles the 
creature and sadly be- 
age ore pact TAMANOIR, OR ANT BEAR.—(Myrmecophaga jubata.) 
surface of the ground, and its retreat intercepted before it can regain its 
hole, the Armadillo rolls itself up as best it can, and, tucking its head under 
the chest, draws in its legs and awaits the result. Even when taken in hand 
it is not without a last resource, for it kicks so violently with its powerful 
legs that it can inflict severe lacerations with the sharp claws. 
THE ANT-EATERS, as their name imports, feed very largely on ants, as 
well as on termites and various other insects, their long flexible tongue acting 
