SIX-BANDEI> ARMADILLO'. 
they are once found in an open place, they 
have no possible means of escaping. In this 
extremity, they commonly make towards their 
Ivoles as fast as possible ; or, that being found 
impra6licable, ihey dig a new hole before the: 
enemy arrives. A few moments sufhce for 
this business, as they burrow with all the cx^ 
pedition of a mole: being furnished with very 
large, strong, and crooked claws, usually four 
on each foot. They are sometimes caught by 
the tail, while making their way into the earth ; 
but so difficult is it to draw them back, that 
they readily leave their tail in the hand if any 
great force be exerted. The Indians, sensibie 
of this, seldom pull them violently ; but, iu 
general, one holds tlie tail, while another digs 
the surrounding earth, and thus they contrive 
to take the animal alive. The instant it per- 
ceives itself in the power of it*s enemy, it rolls 
itself up, and patiently awaits whatever torture 
the captor chuses to infiicl. 
The flesh, especially of the smaller species 
\vhen young, is said to be verv delicious food, 
so that we may naturally suppose these ani- 
mals find little mercy. They arc, indeed, 
pursued 
