The ARMADILLO.
When we ſpeak of a quadruped, imagination repreſents an animal covered with hair; as when we mention a bird, or a fiſh, to the one we attribute feathers, to the other ſcales; and theſe diſtinctions, at the firſt, appear to mark the boundary of each ſpecies; yet nature, as if in defiance of rule, and wiſhing to aſtoniſh as much by particular exceptions as by general laws, ſo blends her ſeveral productions, that it is no eaſy matter to draw a diſtinguiſhing line, and ſay to which claſs an animal, whoſe tail is covered with ſcales, belongs or of which family one incloſed in large ſcales or ſhells is a part. It therefore becomes us not to judge by one character only, which ſo often is incomplete.
The Armadillo is one inſtance among ſeveral of a quadruped covered not with hair, but with a ſhell or ſhells. Of this animal there are ſeveral kinds, whoſe variety conſiſts in the number of the bands of ſhell which encircle or cover them; to ſome the incruſtation is divided into only three diſtinct pieces, to other into ſix, eight, nine, twelve, and eighteen pieces; which have been conſidered by ſome as marks of age; but, in general, with more propriety, have been regarded as different kinds.
The bands of ſhell lap over one another, and are united by a membrane, like the ſhell to the tail of a lobſter; this ſhell, or combination of ſhells, covers the head, the upper part of the body, and the tail; the throat and belly being the only parts not ſecured: this deficiency is provided againſt by the power the Armadillo has of rolling itſelf up like a ball, and thereby covering the vulnerable parts. In time of danger, when it cannot make good its retreat to its hole, it brings the head and feet cloſe to the belly, and, bending the back, forms nearly a ſphere, the tail laps over the joining, and makes a firmer hold; in this form it defies the attack of any quadruped, and a patient ſuffering of inſult generally proves its ſecurity; but man, whoſe power is over the whole creation, whoſe power and perſeverance is irreſiſtible when any good is to be obtained, or any luxury enjoyed, ſoon convinces the poor Armadillo of its danger, by expoſing it to the fire, which makes it quickly unroll.
The ſmall kind of this animal are eſteemed very nice eating, and are therefore hunted with avidity; dogs are uſed to purſue them, who impede their flight by making them roll themſelves up, when they become an eaſy prey to man. As they run pretty faſt, if a few minutes are allowed, they immediately fall to work, and ſeek ſecurity by burrowing in the ground, which they do with great celerity, and muſt then be dug out. Their accuſtomed abode is in holes of conſiderable depth, and, as they wander only by night, and then not far, ſome induſtry is required in ſecuring them.
The colour of the ſhell of the Armadillo is a greyiſh yellow; that part of the head which is not covered, is a blackiſh brown, the belly a yellowiſh white, which bears evident marks of a tendency to oſſify; the feet a fleſhy red colour, are ſpotted. Are natives of South America, particularly the Braſils; about 14 or 18 inches long; the larger kind 2 feet.
