179 



MANIS. 



Generic Character. 



Dentis nulli. 

 Lingua teres, extensilis. 

 Os angustatum in rostrum. 

 Corpus squamis tectum. 



Teethy none. 



To«g«^cylindricand extensile. 

 Mouth narrowed into a snout. 

 Body covered with scales. 



T, 



HE genus Manis presents an appearance not 

 less extraordinary than that of Dasypus or Arma- 

 dillo; being covered on every part, except on the 

 belly., with extremely strong and large horny 

 scales, constituting a suit of armour still more 

 powerful than in the following genus, and capable 

 of defending the animals, when rolled up, from 

 the assaults of the most ferocious enemies. This 

 external covering, together with the uncommon 

 length of body and tail, gives an aspect so much 

 resembling that of a Lizard, that these creatures 

 are commonly known by the title of Scaly Lizards, 

 though no otherwise allied to the Lizard tribe 

 than in their unusual covering : they may be al- 

 lowed, however, in a general view of the animal 

 kingdom, to form a kind of shade or link of ap- 

 proximation between the proper viviparous quad- 

 rupeds and the Lizards. 



