19 



which this writer has examined and attempted to remove, but not 

 with entire success. 



Dr. J. B. S. Jackson reported on a specimen of the Ant 

 Eater of South America. 



There are three species of these animals ; the great Ant Eater 

 or Ant Bear. Myrmecophaga jubata, is as large as the largest 

 greyhound. Of this species the Society possesses a cranium. The 

 specimen before us is of the second size, M. Tamandua, as large 

 as a good sized cat. The smallest species is of the size of a squir- 

 rel. Of this last we have a specimen preserved in spirits. This, 

 as completing the series, is particularly valuable to us. 



The Great Ant Bear lives on the ground, feeding exclusively 

 on ants, which he captures by breaking open their hills, and draw- 

 ing over the insects his long flexible tongue, to which they adhere. 

 The species before us lives on the trees, for which its prehensile 

 tail qualifies it. The food is wild honey and bees and insects. 

 This species has four toes on the front and five on the hind feet. 

 The toes of the front feet are bent inwards, as in the sloths, so 

 that they walk on the sides of their feet. It is a true Edentate ani- 

 mal, having no teeth. The Sloth, also reckoned among Edentata, 

 has back teeth. 



Dr. J. also remarked upon a volume of the Naturalist's Li- 

 brary on Mammalia, committed to him. The work is a 

 compilation, and appears to be well executed. 



Mr. Bryant reported upon another volume of the same 

 work, on Gallinaceous birds. 



It is a compilation, but not only so, for some species are added 

 to those previously described. The statement that the wild Tur- 

 key is extinct in the North Eastern parts of North America is not 

 correct. One was shot in Springfield within three years. The 

 weight of this bird is also overstated as being 80 lbs. Audubon 

 states 36 lbs. to his knowledge; which is probably beyond the 

 usual weight. The two specimens of birds prepared and pre- 

 sented by Mr. Bryant on a former evening, were Coruus Americanus, 

 resembling but not identical with Corvus corone, an European 

 species ; and Emberiza nivalis, the snow bunting. This last is 

 found in immense flocks. 



