Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 47.djvu/369

Rh sides, and tail, there is a similar coating on the outer surfaces of the legs. The six body bands and the four tail bands are composed of small polygonal pieces, joined together, slightly resembling certain parts of an alligator's skin. The other parts of the armor differ somewhat from these in shape, being more irregular.

It will be seen that the armadillo's protecting coat of mail is by no means firm and immovable like the shell of the tortoise, but is comparatively flexible, thus securing to the animal considerable freedom of movement, quite in contrast to the unwieldy awkwardness of the tortoise. When the armadillo's feet are drawn up under the body, this protecting coat reaches to the ground, overhanging like a cloak lightly thrown over the animal.

We read how the warrior of ancient time, though incased in a heavy coat of mail, was sometimes "pierced between the joints of the harness." A similar fate may befall our "little armed one." Even so puny a creature as the mosquito is enabled to annoy it by attacking the naked skin between the plates and bands. The tiny insect's partiality for this animal is so great, attracted doubtless by the abundant blood coursing through its plump form, that it even follows the armadillo into its burrow on its bloodthirsty errand.

The under parts of the animal, including the chin, breast, belly, and the inner sides of the legs, are covered only by skin. This is of the same color as that between the bands, and resembles in roughness the skin of a plucked chicken, being also naked with the exception of a few scattered hairs. The ears and the end of the nose are also without armor. A few bristly hairs appear on the skin between the bands of armor, and there is quite a tuft under each eye. The hair on the back and sides is pure white; on all other parts, jet black.

The ears are an inch and a quarter in length, round, and always erect. The eyes are small, black, and piggish in expression, with oddly wrinkled lids. The armadillo is chiefly nocturnal in its habits, sleeping much during the day; accordingly, we find the eyes weak and unable to bear strong light. The smell and hearing, on the contrary, are very acute.

The legs are short and stout. Both fore and hind feet have five toes, which are provided with powerful, slightly curved nails from one fourth to one inch long, those on the fore feet being the longest. With these instruments the armadillo not only burrows in the ground with wonderful ease and rapidity, but it can clutch an object, or the earth even, with a powerful grip. In walking on firm ground or on a floor, the nails only of the fore feet touch the surface, and but little more of the hind feet, although the latter are plantigrade when the animal is standing still.

The six-banded armadillo, in common with most of the species.