, just as I got hold of the
ball, I received so severe a dig in my legs from a pair of powerful
claws which it suddenly projected, that I was glad to throw it down
again.

"You have got hold of an armadillo," said the recluse, who with John at
that moment arrived. "If you want a dinner, or wish to make an
acceptable present to your Indian friends, you may kill and carry it
with you; but if not, let the creature go. For my part, I delight to
allow the beasts of the forest to roam at large, and enjoy the existence
which their Maker has given them. The productions of the ground afford
me sufficient food to support life, and more I do not require. Yet I
acknowledge that unless animals were allowed to prey on each other, the
species would soon become so numerous that the teeming earth itself
could no longer support them: therefore man, as he has the power, so, I
own, he has the right to supply himself with food which suits his taste.
I speak, therefore, only as regards my own feelings."

While he was speaking he seemed to forget that he had just before been
in a hurry to proceed on our way, and stood with his arms folded, gazing
at the armadillo. The creature, finding itself unmolested, for even
True stood at a respectful distance, uncoiled itself, and I then had an
opportunity of observing its curious construction. Its whole back was
covered with a coat of scaly armour of a bony-looking substance, in
several parts. On the head was an oval plate, beneath which could be
seen a pair of small eyes, winking, as if annoyed by the sunlight. Over
the shoulders was a large buckler, and a similar one covered the
haunches; while between these solid portions could be seen a series of
shelly zones, arranged in such a manner as to accommodate this coat of
mail to the back and body. The entire tail was shielded by a series of
calcareous rings, which made it perfectly flexible. The interior
surface, as well as the lower part of the body, was covered with coarse
scattered hairs, of which some were seen to issue forth between the
joints of the armour. It had a pointed snout, long ears, short, thick
limbs, and stout claws.

"There are several species of the armadillo," observed our friend. "The
creature before us is the _Dasypus sexcinctus_. It is a burrowing
animal, and so rapidly can it dig a hole, that when chased it has often
its way made under ground before the hunter can reach it. Its food
consists of roots, fruits, and