Zoological Society. 203 



White Ants or Termites constitute its chief food. When the Ant- 

 bear meets with one of the tumuli constructed by the White Ants, 

 it immediately pulls the fabric down by means of its large strong 

 claws, and when the Ants are thus exposed its long slender tongue 

 is thrust out to collect them. The movements of the tongue, alter- 

 nately protruded and retracted, are so rapid, says Dr. Schomburgk, 

 that it is no longer surprising how so large an animal can satiate 

 its appetite with such minute insects. With the Termites he swal- 

 lows a considerable quantity of the material of which the Ants' 

 nest is constructed. Of this fact Mr. Schomburgk assured himself by 

 dissection, and he is of opinion that the substance of the nest serves 

 as a corrector. 



" It has been generally thought," says Mr. Schomburgk, " that the 

 Ant-bear lives exclusively on Ants ; this, however, is not the case. 

 In one which I dissected a year ago, a species of Julus was found ; 

 and an adult one now in my possession swallows with avidity fresh 

 meat hashed up for it. 



" The Ant-bear makes neither nest nor burrow, its ample tail ser- 

 ving it as sole protection against the inclemency of the weather. One 

 of its favourite positions when at rest, is to tuck up its feet under its 

 belly, and to unite the two extremities almost close together ; in which 

 position the tail covers the whole animal : at other times it cowers 

 itself up like a dog when asleep, and the tail covers only the snout 

 and part of the body. The female Ant-bear possesses two pectoral 

 teats, and produces only one young at a time ; and as soon as this 

 has received sufficient strength the mother carries it with her on her 

 back, where it keeps itself firmly attached. The young animal re- 

 mains with its mother for the space of a year, and as this is the pe- 

 riod when she brings forth again, it is then obliged to shift for itself. 



" If the mother be attacked, she defends herself valiantly : raising 

 herself upon her haunches, she strikes with her sharp claws at the 

 enemy ; this is chiefly done with the right foot, while the left rests 

 on the ground ; but she quickly changes their respective positions 

 when the attack is carried to the other side : the young one remains 

 all the while clinging to her. If the danger increase, she throws 

 herself upon her back, and strikes with both claws at her enemy. 



"I have been assured by a highly -credible person, that the Jaguar 

 finds it difficult to conquer the Ant-bear, and the fight which en- 

 sues was described to me as characteristic. It happens frequently 

 that both combatants remain dead upon the spot, or that one does 

 not survive the other many hours. The force which the Ant-bear 

 possesses in its fore feet is astonishing, and I have no doubt that it 



