2l6 NATURAL HISTORY ESSAYS 



inch tongue being covered with a glutinous 

 secretion, to which they adhere like sparrows on 

 a birdlimed twig. Thus an animal which, seen 

 amid the unnatural surroundings of a menagerie, 

 appears ridiculous in shape and awkward in 

 movements, when allowed to follow its natural 

 inclinations at once exhibits the most beautiful 

 adjustment of structure to environment. The 

 claws of the aard vark make short work of the 

 sun-baked walls of the anthill : the elongated 

 snout is a perfect instrument for exploring 

 the recesses of the termite city : whilst the 

 stout tail forms with the hind legs a tripod, 

 supported on which the ant-bear tears down the 

 toughest ant-hill with ease and rapidity. Finally, 

 the long ears quicken the sense of hearing, so that 

 no foe can steal unawares upon the ant-bear 

 engaged in its task. 



In consideration of its nocturnal habits, its 

 great strength, and the difficulty of supplying it 

 with proper food, to say nothing of the Herculean 

 task of extricating it from its subterranean strong- 

 hold, it is not surprising that the aard vark is 

 but seldom brought alive to Europe. The 

 first living specimen ever seen in England was 

 the fine male received at the London Zoo- 

 logical Gardens in June, 1869. This individual 

 had been taken at Port Elizabeth, near Algoa 

 Bay, and was purchased for ^150. The food 



