140 MIGHTY ANIMALS 



the little living armadillos, were protected by a 

 bony shield. Only, in the case of the Glyptodon 

 this shield was of huge size. And resting on the 

 top of his head was another shield that had the ap- 

 pearance of a flat hat. 



Although this animal was as big as an ox, and 

 often nine feet or more in length, his legs were so 

 short that the shield over his back reached almost 

 to the ground, completely hiding his body except 

 the feet, the tail, and the head, which was carried 

 very low down. The tail was made up of what 

 have been called "movable rings/' and the shield, 

 when closely examined, proves beautiful in design, 

 for all over it are rosette-like sculptures arranged 

 in a set pattern. 



The shield of the living armadillo is jointed so 

 that the animal can roll himself up and be entirely 

 covered with it as with an armor. The Glypto- 

 don's shield had no such joints, but was constructed 

 so solidly that it seems as though no animal which 

 ever lived could have succeeded in injuring it. So 

 the Glyptodon carried about with him wherever he 

 went a valuable protection against enemies. But 



