STORY OF THE ARMADILLO. 
In Central and South America dwells a little creature that might pro¬ 
perly be called an animal battleship. It is the armadillo, and as may be 
inferred from its Spanish name it is protected by heavy armor which covers 
it so completely that by drawing in its head and legs no part of its person 
is exposed except the tail. 
While riding over the pampas, accompanied by several gauchos (which 
are the native cowboys) I had a severe fall by reason of my horse stepping 
into an armadillo’s burrow. An examination of the ground showed me that 
there were numerous burrows in the soft earth, but so cleverly concealed 
that they could only be discovered by searching for them. 
All armadillos burrow in the ground; and so rapid is the act of burrow¬ 
ing, that, as the writer has witnessed, if a horseman sees one of the animals, 
it is almost necessary for him to tumble off his horse in order to capture it 
before it disappears in the soft soil of the pampas. 
Though its claws are not of very great size, they are yet most formidable 
weapons, and an armadillo, if brought to bay, will sometimes use them upon 
its foe with terrible effect, rolling over upon its back, and striking so fiercely 
and rapidly at its enemy with its armed feet as often to inflict very severe 
wounds. 
It is not very easy, however, to bring an armadillo to bay, for its smaller 
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