Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 6 (1902).djvu/228

186 floor, and thrusting its wedge-like head into every crevice; should any leverage be obtained, the animal at once commences to wrench its way out. I well remember placing my first Armadillo in a cage fronted with stout wire netting of half-inch mesh, and how, as soon as the industrious creature had found a weak spot, it prised up the wirework with its mailed snout, and then setting its broad shoulders and enormous claws busily to work, tore its way through, the staples giving way one after another with irritating rapidity. If turned out for a run on a paved floor the little mailed beast with his Pig-like eyes and pseudo-crustacean armour presents a most odd appearance as he patters about at a great pace on his stumpy legs. Fearless of injury under his natural shield, the Armadillo scrambles over, beneath, or through everything, and objects lighter than himself are promptly upset, so that one can easily credit the story of one of these animals which, when turned out for a run on a billiard table by his admiring owner, soon wrecked it by ripping up the cloth with his claws. I never knew these animals to attempt to bite. If seized hold of they resist by wedging themselves between objects, and also (apparently by accident) scratch if picked up. They soon, however, become tame enough to feed out of the hand. The unspillable zinc vessels now largely sold are best for holding water intended for Armadillos.

Dasypus sexcinctus (Weasel-headed or Six-banded Armadillo).—This is a much finer species than the preceding, from which it may be distinguished by the sharper muzzle, the more elegant outlines of the body, and the lighter colour of the armour; indeed, for an edentate, the Weasel-headed Armadillo may almost be pronounced a handsome animal. A fine male, which I purchased last January, would hiss when picked up, but made no other hostile demonstration. Instead of sleeping on his back like the Hairy Armadillo, this animal reposed on his stomach. Food and treatment the same as D. villosus.

Trichosurus vulpecula (Vulpine Phalanger).—The Vulpine Phalanger (often mis-called Opossum) resembles a Fox in the sharpness of its muzzle, a Bear in the woolly nature of its fur, and a Cat in the stealthiness of its movements. Adult animals