86 A DESCRIPTION OF 
distinguishable. The name of Ai alludes to the noise the 
Sloth makes when caught. 
THE ARMADILLO. (Dasypus sexdnctus.) 
NATURE seems to have been singularly careful in the pre- 
servation of this animal, for she has surrounded him with 
a coat of armour to defend him from his enemies. When 
closely pursued, he turns himself, withdraws his head under 
the shell, and assumes the shape of a ball ; if he be near a 
precipice, he rolls from one rock to another, and escapes 
Avithout receiving any injury. The shell, which covers 
the whole of the body, is composed of several scales, very 
hard, and of a square shape, united by a kind of cartila- 
ginous substance, which gives flexibility to the whole. 
The Armadillo lives principallyon roots, carrion, and ants; 
and in a wild state it resides in subterranean burrows, like 
the rabbit. It is a native of South America. There are 
several species differing chiefly in the number of their 
bands. 
