_Priodon._[106]—Teeth variable in number, and generally differing on the two sides of each jaw, usually from 20 to 25 on each side above and below, so that as many as 100 may be present altogether; but as life advances the anterior teeth fall out, and all traces of their alveoli disappear. The series extends as far back as the hinder edge of the anterior root of the zygoma. The teeth are all very small; those in the anterior half of each series being strongly compressed, with flat sides and a straight free edge; the posterior ones are more nearly cylindrical, with flat truncated, free surfaces. Vertebræ: C 7, D 12, L 3, S 10, C 23. Head small, elongated, conical. Ears moderate, ovate. Carapace with 12-13 movable bands. Tail nearly equal to the body in length, gradually tapering, closely covered with quadrangular scales, arranged in a quincunx pattern. Fore feet with five toes, formed on the same plan as those of _Xenurus_, but with the claw of the third of still greater size, and that of each of the others, especially the fifth, proportionately reduced. Hind foot short and rounded, with five very short toes, with short, broad, flat, obtuse nails. The only known species, the Great Armadillo (_P. gigas_), is by far the largest of existing members of the family, measuring rather more than 3 feet from the tip of the nose to the root of the tail, the tail being about 20 inches long. It inhabits the forests of Surinam and Brazil. The powerful falcate claws of its fore feet enable it to dig with great facility. Its food consists chiefly of termites and other insects, but it is said to attack and uproot newly-made graves for the purpose of devouring the flesh of the bodies contained in them. _Tolypeutes._[107]—Teeth ⁹⁄₉ or ⁸⁄₉, rather large in proportion to the size of the skull, the hinder end of the series reaching nearly to the posterior margin of the palate. Vertebræ: C 7, D 11, L 3, S 12, C 13. Ears placed low on the sides of the head, rather large, broadly ovate. Carapace with its scapular and pelvic shields very free at the sides of the body, forming large chambers into which the limbs can be readily withdrawn. Only three movable bands; sculpture of scutes in the form of subconcentrically arranged granules. Tail short, conical, covered with large bony tubercles. The fore feet formed on the same type as in the last genus, but the peculiarities carried out to a still greater extent. The claw of the third toe is very long and falcate, the first and fifth greatly reduced and sometimes wanting. On the hind foot the three middle toes have broad, flat, subequal nails, forming together a kind of tripartite hoof; the first and fifth much shorter, with more compressed nails.