SIX-BANDED ARMADILLO. 
This shell, which in every respect resem- 
bles a bony substance, covers the head, the 
neck, the back, the sides, and the rump, as 
w tW as the entire length of the tail. Indeed, 
the only parts uncovered with this invulnerable 
-armour, are- the throat, breast, and belly ; and 
■even these, which appear only to have a white 
skin, resembling that of a plucked fowl, are 
in fa6l cloathed with shells in an incipient 
state, of a substance similar to those on the back. 
The skin, therefore, in the softest parts, seems 
to have a strong tendency to ossification,, 
though it only compleatly takes place in such 
situations as have the smallest degree of fric- 
tion, and ar€ the most exposed to external in- 
juries. The shells, which lie in bands over 
the body, are conne6led by yellow membranes, 
which give the animal a motion in it's back,, 
and accommodate the armour to every neces- 
sary inflexion. The bands are various, in. 
number and proportion. In general, however, 
there are twelve pieces, one of which covers 
the shoulders, and the other the i-ump. Be*l 
tween these, on the back, tiic bands are placed, 
which fold over each other, and communi-' 
cate motion to the whole : having openings 
across, 
