The long, silky, half bristly, abundant black hairs of this little Armadillo are the principal characteristics, which separate it, so far as its external construction is concerned, from the Poyou just noticed. It is smaller, however, the head measuring nearly four inches in length, and the whole body about two inches less than _Dasypus sexcintus_. The ears are long, large, and elliptical, and are pointed outwards, and the muzzle is broad. The forehead is broad and covered with rugged scales. The bands are six or seven in number, and the border of the shield, as well as that of the movable bands below, is indented in a remarkable manner, and forms sharp, regular points. There are eight teeth on each side, above and below, and the body, hairy as it is, is much scaled interiorly and on the limbs. The tail is long and slender, and only hairy at the root. This species does not inhabit Paraguay, nor probably is it found in the Brazils, but it exists in multitudes in the Pampas north of the Rio Plata, and Mr. Darwin noticed it in Chili. Its habits, according to that most accurate observer, are nocturnal, but D’Azara, to whom natural history owes very careful descriptions, states that “in an expedition which I made into the interior, between the parallels of 35° and 36° south latitude, I met with vast multitudes of this species of Armadillo, so that there was scarcely an individual of the party who did not daily capture one or two at least; for, unlike the Poyou, which moves abroad only at night, this animal is to be found at all times, and if alarmed, promptly conceals himself, if not intercepted. In March and April, when I saw them, they were so extremely fat that their flesh surfeited and palled the appetite; notwithstanding which, the pioneers and soldiers ate them roasted, and preferred them to beef and veal. This Hairy Armadillo, like others of the genus, has undoubtedly a very acute sense of smell, since it scents the carcases of dead Horses from a great distance, and runs to devour them; but as it is unable to penetrate the hide, it burrows under the body until it finds a place which the moisture of the soil has already begun to render soft and putrid. Here it makes an entrance with its claws, and eats its way into the interior, where it continues feasting on the putrid flesh, till nothing remains but the hide and bones, and so perfectly do these preserve their position, that it is impossible, from a mere external view, to anticipate the operations which the Armadillos have been carrying on within.” The same author states that this species never constructs burrows to reside in, that it avoids low, damp situations, and is found only on the dry upland plains. Probably there is more than one Hairy Armadillo. THE PICHIY.[77]