2o8 NATURAL HISTORY ESSAYS 



The bizarre appearance of the anteater is 

 heightened during life by its odd movements. A 

 captive tamanoir will stand reared up with its forefeet 

 planted on the ledge just inside its cage, and sway- 

 its bird-like head to and fro like a weird creature in 

 a dream. It seems, indeed like several beasts rolled 

 into one, with a strange individual eerieness thrown 

 in ! Sitting straight upright, its black chest and 

 white-patched arms recall the sable pelt and snowy 

 chevron of the Himalayan bear, and remind one of 

 old Dampier's mention of the " bear that feeds on 

 ants." Viewed from behind, when standing with 

 upraised head, the elongated muzzle and arched back 

 simulate the long neck and hump of a camel ; while 

 the velvety black coat, mixed with grey, faintly 

 recalls a Malayan tapir ! When searching for food, 

 the anteater noses about in the straw with a rapid, 

 nibbling movement of the tiny lips, just as a stork or 

 ibes probes mud for worms. When reclining on its 

 couch, it carries its preposterous head with absurd 

 dignity, and the tiny eye has a sober appearance 

 which, with the stubby mane, suggests the 

 face of some respectable cab horse ! ^ The anteater 

 cleans its delicate muzzle by rubbing it on the 

 bent forearm ; the forefoot has some prehensile 

 power, and small objects can be grasped between the 

 long claws and the sole of the foot — thus opposable 

 like the human finger and thumb. 



1 Puncli hit oft' this expression admirably in a certain cartoon in 

 whicli the anteater, wearing a Jonathan hat, plies its tongue amongst 

 the industrious niggers. 



