HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



hunter has recourfe to artifice ; and by tickling it with 

 a (tick, it gives up its hold, and fuffers itfelf to be taken 

 alive. If no other means of efcape be left, it rolls itfelf 

 up within its covering by drawing in its head and legs, 

 and bringing its tail round them, as a band to connect 

 them more forcibly together : In this fituation it fome- 

 times efcapes by rolling itfelf over the edge of a preci- 

 pice, and generally falls to the bottom unhurt. 



The moft fuccefsfui method of catching Armadillos is 

 by fnares laid for them by the fides of rivers or other 

 places where they frequent. — They all burrow very deep 

 in the ground, and feldom ftir out, except during the 

 night, whilft they are in fearch of food. 



To give a minute description of the {hells or coverings 

 of the Armadillos, would be extremely difficult ; as they 

 are all compofed of a number of parts, differing greatly 

 from each other in the order and difpofition of the fi- 

 gures with which they are diftinguifhed: But it may be 

 neceffary to obferve, that in general there are two large 

 pieces that cover the moulders and the rump, between 

 which lie the bands, which are more or lefs in number 

 in different kinds. Thefe bands are not unlike thofe in 

 the tail of a lobfter ; and, being flexible, give way to the 

 motions of the animal.— — The firft we mall mention is 



The TATUAPARA, or Three-banded 

 ARMADILLO. 



Its fhell is about twelve inches long, with three bands 

 in the middle : The cruft on the head, back, and rump, 

 is divided into a number of elegant faifed figures, with 

 five angles or fides : Its tail is not more than two inches 

 long : It has neither cutting nor canine teeth j and has 

 five toes on each foot. 



