THE GREAT ANT-EATER. 



209 



The claws of the hind-feet are short, and the sole is a 

 naked protuberant pad. The ears are short and round ; 

 the tail is of great thickness at the base, whence it nar- 

 rows to the apex, being laterally compressed, but its 

 form is hid beneath a profusion of long, coarse, flowing 

 hair, which hangs like a full plume or fringe. The hair 

 of the head is short and close, but over all the rest of the 

 animal it is long and shaggy, particularly on the top of 

 the neck and along the back, where it forms a kind of 

 long mane, and on the tail, where it is a foot in length, 

 and hangs down on each side, sweeping the ground when 

 the ant-bear walks. (Fig. 140.) 



The prevailing colour on the head, face, and cheeks 



140.— Great Ant-eater. 



