MYRMECOPHAGA. 191 
Fam. IT. MYRMECOPHAGIDA. 
1. MYRMECOPHAGA. 
Myrmecophaga, Linnzus, Syst. Nat. i. p. 51 (1766). 
The remarkable Neotropical family of true Anteaters is represented in Central 
America by both its forms, of which the typical genus Myrmecophaga is characterized 
by the fore foot having four toes, and by the structure of its greatly elongated skull, in 
which the pterygoids unite in the middle line, so as to carry back the bony palate to a 
level with the auditory meatus. Of the three known species, two (very different in size 
and general appearance) are members of our fauna, namely :— 
1. WM. jubata. Tair long and coarse, dark grey and black mixed, with a black-and- 
white oblique stripe on the shoulder ; back maned, and tail very bushy. Length 
about 50", of tail without hair 30”. 
2. MM. tetradactyla. Hair short ; markings rather variable; head, limbs, base of 
tail, and dorsal stripe white or reddish white; rest of thorax and diagonal 
stripe on shoulders dark brown or black; tail scaly for its terminal third. 
Length about 25”, of tail 16”. 
The latter species has been generically separated by Gray as Tamandua*, and by 
Wagler as Uropeltes}; but though it differs from the Great Anteater in its semi- 
arboreal habits and partially prehensile tail, it agrees with it in all the essential points 
of structure. 
1. Mymecophaga jubata. 
Myrmecophaga jubata, Linneus, Syst. Nat. i. p.52 (1766, ex Brisson)’; Frantzius, Arch. f. Naturg. 
xxxv. 1, p. 307”. 
Oso real of Costa-Ricans *. 
Hab. Guatemaa, Vera Paz (Sarg); Costa Rica (Frantzius?); Panama, Veragua (Arcé). 
—Soutu America to Paraguay. 
The range of the Great Anteater extends as far north as Costa Rica and Guatemala. 
In the former country, Dr. v. Frantzius tells us, it is confined to the low hot forest 
lands near the coast, and even there it is somewhat rare. When attacked by men or 
dogs, he was told that it reared itself up and defended itself with its powerful claws ; 
but he himself had only seen one specimen, which had been caught near Puntarenas?, 
As regards its presence in Guatemala, Mr. Sarg informs Messrs. Godman and Salvin 
* Ann. of Philos. x. p. 343 (1825). t+ Nat. Syst. Amph. &c. p. 36 (1830). 
