180 WANDERINGS IN 



Third holc : lic caref Lilly observes the line the stick takes, and 



Journey, 



then sinks a pit in the sand to catch the end of it : this 



done, he puts it farther into the hole, and digs another 

 pit, and so on, till at last he comes up with the Arma- 

 dillo, Avhich had been making itself a passage in the 

 sand till it had exhausted all its strength through pure 

 exertion. I have been sometimes three quarters of a 

 day in digging out one Armadillo, and obliged to sink 

 half a dozen pits, seven feet deep, before I got up to it. 

 The Indians and negroes are very fond of the flesh, but 

 I considered it strong and rank. 



On laying hold of the Armadillo you must be cautious 

 not to come in contact with his feet : they are armed 

 with sharp claws, and with them he will inflict a severe 

 wound in self-defence : when not molested, he is very 

 harmless and innocent ; he would put you in mind of the 

 hare in Gay's fables, — 



" Whose care was never to offend, 

 And every creature was her friend." 



The Armadillo swims well in time of need, but does 

 not go into the water by choice. He is very seldom seen 

 abroad during the day ; and when surprised, he is sure to 

 be near the mouth of his hole. Every part of the Arma- 

 dillo is well protected by his shell, except his ears. In 

 life, this shell is very limber, so that the animal is enabled 

 to go at full stretch, or roll himself up into a ball, as 

 occasion may require. 



