DASYPUS 9-CINCTUS. 183 



of that edge to allow of the motion of the head, but comes forward on 

 each side so as to join that on the head when the head is drawn in. 

 The middle part of the covering is made of nine bands passing from 

 side to side, or from edge to edge, across the body, terminating in a thin 

 edge, and reaching as low down as the anterior portion, or that part 

 which covers the shoulders. The bands are about 2 inches broad, lap- 

 ping over each other ; the posterior edge overlapping the anterior edge 

 of the one behind, for about half their breadth, and connected together 

 by a loose skin, which, being elastic, allows of considerable motion so 

 as to bring edge to edge. The posterior part which covers the rump is 

 anteriorly connected with the last of the moveable bands before 

 described, and at its edges there is a fissure for about 2 inches, admit- 

 ting of motion similar to that of the bands. Posteriorly, and in the 

 middle, it is hollowed to allow of the motion of the tail, similar to the 

 anterior for the head ; and is rounded off on the two sides with a loose 

 edge which joins that of the bands, covering the whole of the thighs. 

 The anterior and posterior [parts of the armour] appear to allow of the 

 motion of the parts which they cover, independently of the covering 

 itself, like the head and feet of the tortoise ; but the middle part seems 

 to move with the body, or perhaps may give motion to the body by its 

 own muscles. Some of the muscles of the head and extremities arise 

 from the inside of this covering, as in the turtle. The tail is entirely 

 covered with scales, formed into rings, which are of different breadths, 

 the broadest being near the body, and about an inch in breadth, which 

 are moveable upon one another ; the posterior edge of the anterior ring 

 overlaps the anterior edge of the one behind. The skin of the lower 

 rings has much less motion than that of the upper. The upper rings 

 of the tail lap over those immediately under them. This is less and 

 less the case as you descend, for about ten rings, when they only meet 

 each other, and still lower the rings are much blended, or become less 

 distinct. This is less evidently the case on the inferior surface. The 

 anterior edge of all the rings, whether of the body or tail, is thinner 

 than the posterior edge : they are exactly like feather-boarding. The 

 skin of the belly, thighs, and legs, is studded all over with little emi- 

 nences, each of which is covered with a thin scale, and on each are 

 placed three hairs. These eminences are disposed in pretty regular 

 rows across the fore parts of the legs \ The legs are short, and the 

 feet are crusted over with scales like the foot of a bird, which they 

 resemble, in some degree. The fore foot has four claws ; the two 

 middle ones are of unequal length and are but little divided ; the two 



1 [Hunt. Prep. No. 1899.] 



