THE SIX-BANDED ARMADILLO. 



fhape of the animal; making it appear, at firft view, like a round, misfhapen 

 mafs, with a long head fattened to one end, and a very long tail flicking out 

 at the other, which, as well as the feet and legs, feem not to be of a piece 

 with the body. This extraordinary clothing confifts of a large fcale, which 

 covers the rump; and another, which extends all over the moulders: thefe 

 are united, by feveral bands which encircle the back and fides; the number 

 of thefe bands differs greatly in the different fpecies, fome having but three, 

 fomefix, fome eight, ten, twelve, and even eighteen; and the number of 

 thefe bands afcertains the fpecies. They are all connected by a yellow 

 membrane, like the articulations in the tail of a Loblter, and flide readily 

 over each other, fo as to afford the animal a free and eafy motion. Befides 

 thefe tranfverfe divilions of the fhells, they alfo articulate by a joining, which 

 extends all along the back, and gives the animal liberty to move in every 

 direction. The colour of thefe fhells is ufually a dirty grey, but it differs in 

 different fpecies: this difference arifes from a peculiar circumflance in their 

 conformation, the fhell itfelf being covered with a foftifh fkin, which is 

 fmooth and tranfparent. This fhell covers the top of the head, and the tail 

 to the utmoft extremity; the only parts which want it, are the throat, breafl, 

 and belly; thefe are covered with a foft fkin, which is white, and greatly 

 refembles the fkin of a fowl flripped of its feathers. Although this fkin is 

 apparently naked, if it be obferved with attention it will be found to be 

 covered with the rudiments of fhells, of the fame fubflance with thofe which 

 cover the back. 



But, however fecure the Armadillo may appear to be, under the 

 protection of this covering, it is not a fufficient guard againfl the attacks of 

 its more powerful enemies. Providence has, therefore, kindly inftrudled it 

 to roll itfelf up, like the Hedge-Hog, on the appearance of great danger. 

 When it is violently attacked, it withdraws its head under its fhell, which 

 covers the moulders, leaving nothing in view but the extremity of the nofe. 

 If the danger increafe, the feet are all drawn up under the belly, and the two 

 extremities united together, while the tail forms a connecting band, which 

 gives great flrength to the fituation. When thus rolled up, it refembles a 



