THE GREAT MANIS. 



fcales, united to the body by one edge only, but are capable of being moved 

 whenever the animal pleafes. The Lizard is wholly dellitute of the means 

 of felf-defence in time of danger, and knows no fafety but in flight and 

 concealment: the Manis, on the approach of an enemy, rolls itfelf up into a 

 ball, and is proof againft the moft powerful attacks of its aflailant. The 

 fcales of this extraordinary animal differ, as to their fize and form, but all 

 are fixed to the body, fomewhat like the leaves of an artichoke. Thofe near 

 the tail are the largeft. They are thicker! in the middle, and fharp at the 

 edges, and all end in a roundifh point. They are extremely hard, and of a 

 fubflance refembling horn. They are convex externally, and concave on the 

 fide next the body ; one edge is fixed to the fkin, while the other laps over 

 that which is immediately behind it, much like the tiles on the roof of a 

 houfe. The fcales, which cover the tail, are accommodated to the fhape of 

 that part: they are all of a dufky-brown colour, and fo hard, when the 

 animal has attained its full growth, that they will turn a mufket ball. 



This lingular quadruped grows to the length of eight feet, including the 

 tail, which is four feet long. The back, fides, and legs, are covered with 

 fcales, between each of which is a brittle: thefe fcales it can erecl at pleafure, 

 in the fame manner as the Porcupine erects his quills, and thereby arm itfelf 

 with a formidable battery, capable of refilling the attacks of any enemy. The 

 moft fierce and favage quadrupeds in vain attempt to feize it; the inftant it 

 perceives the approach of danger, it rolls itfelf round, like a Hedge-Hog, 

 i ecu ring thereby the mofl vulnerable parts of its body with its head and feet, 

 and in this fituation it remains till the danger is over. In this pofture, it is 

 faid to be capable of deftroying even the Elephant, by twifting itfelf round 

 the trunk, and comprefling that tender organ with its hard fcales (a.) 



The throat, belly, and infide of the legs are hairy; the ears greatly 

 referable thofe of the human fpecies : it has five toes on each foot, furnifhed 

 with claws, which it bends under its feet when walking. It feeds on 

 Lizards and infects, in fearch of which it turns up the ground with its nofe, 



( a) Pennant. 



