The various species of Armadillo, all mailed animals, are mighty burrowers, residing in holes which they have dug with their powerful fore limbs, and obtaining much of their food below the surface of the earth. They are carnivorous beings, and feed upon insects and all kinds of animal substances. One species, the GIANT ARMADILLO (Priodonta gigas), is so determined a burrower, that it has often been known to dig up dead bodies for the purpose of feeding on them. All these creatures, however, are fond of animal substances, and many of them may be found upon the savannas of South America, feasting greedily upon the bodies of the cattle which are slaughtered so recklessly for the sake of their hides. In all these animals the coat of mail is exceedingly hard, so hard, indeed, that it is used for sharpening the long Spanish knife, which is universally carried by the Gauchos.

Digging these animals out of their retreat is no easy business. According to Mr. Waterton, the method adopted is simple, though laborious. As the Armadillos burrow like rabbits in a warren, the first point is to ascertain whether the inhabitant is at home. This is done by pushing a stick into each hole, and watching for mosquitoes. If any of these troublesome flies emerge, the inhabitant is at home; if not, there is no use in searching farther. When the presence of an Armadillo is satisfactorily ascertained, a long rod is thrust into the burrow in order to learn its direction, and a hole is dug in the ground so as to meet the end of the stick. A fresh departure is taken from that point, the rod is again introduced, and by dint of laborious digging the animal is at last captured.

Meanwhile, the Armadillo is not idle, but continues to burrow in the sand, in hopes of escaping its persecutors. It can not, however, dig so fast as they can, and is at last obliged to yield. Mr. Waterton mentions that he has been obliged to work for three quarters of a day, and to sink half a dozen pits before a single specimen could be secured.

If an Armadillo should be surprised, and its retreat to the burrow intercepted, it at once sets to work at sinking a fresh tunnel. So fast, indeed, does it excavate, that if a horseman sees one of these animals, he must almost tumble from his, steed if he wishes. to capture the active creature. And, when he has grasped it, he must be careful about his hands, or he will suffer severe wounds from the powerful claws of the Armadillo. As with the pichiciago, the coat of mail, which appears so hard and stiff in the stuffed

specimen, is perfectly flexible during life, enabling the limbs of the animal to enjoy their full play, and even permitting the owner to roll itself into a ball when it is threatened with danger.

THE different species of Manis deserve a passing notice. They are all burrowers, and are furnished with armor even better calculated for defense than that of the armadillo, inasmuch as it assumes somewhat of an offensive as well as a defensive character. All these animals are covered with large, sharp-edged scales, of a stout horny consistence, which overlap each other like the tiles of a house. They are of wonderful hardness, and form a buckler which is impenetrable to any weapons possessed by the carnivorous animals of the regions wherein it resides. A specimen of the BAJJERKEIT, or SHORT-TAILED MANIS of India (Manis pentadactyla), now before me, affords a good example of this weapon-resist ing power. Edwin Arnold, Esq., to whom I am indebted for this specimen, possessed it in a living state for a considerable time, and when he was about to leave India, determined to kill the animal and take the skin with him. Accordingly, he fired three barrels. of a Colt's revolver pistol at the Manis, but without the slightest effect, and was at last obliged to introduce the point of a dagger under the scales, and drive the weapon into the heart. On examining the interior of the skin, the wound caused by the doubleedged dagger is plainly perceptible, but I can not find the slightest trace of the bullets. One of the balls, indeed, recoiled upon the intending destroyer.

When the Manis is alarmed, it rolls itself up, wraps its tail over the body, and lies in conscious security, the horny scales acting as a buckler, and their sharp edges deterring enemies from the attack as much as the quills of the porcupine or the spines of the hedgehog.

THE curious AARD VARK of Southern Africa (Orycteropus Capensis) is another of the earth-burrowers, residing, for the most part, in great holes which it scoops in the ground.

The name Aard Vark is Dutch, signifying Earth-hog, and is given to the animal on account of its extraordinary powers of excavation and the swine-like contour of its head. The claws with which this animal works are enormous, as, indeed, is needful for the task which they are intended to perform. They are by no means intended merely to excavate burrows in soft or sandy soil,

though they are frequently employed for that purpose; but they are designed for labors far more arduous. By means of these implements, the Aard Vark tears to pieces the enormous ant-hills which stud the plains of Southern Africa-edifices so strongly made as to resemble stone rather than mud, and capable of bearing the weight of many men on their summits. These marvelous dwellings (of which we shall see something in a future page) are absolutely swarming with inmates; and it is for the purpose of feeding upon the tiny builders that the Aard Vark plies its destructive labors.

Toward evening the Aard Vark issues from the burrow wherein it has lain asleep during the day, proceeds to the plains, and searches for an ant-hill in full operation. With its powerful claws it tears a hole in the side of the hill, breaking up the stony

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