14 LONG-TAILED MANIS. 



7. MANIS TRIBE. 



These are, in every respect, true quadrupeds, notwith- 

 standing their general resemblance to lizards. Their 

 bodies are covered with strong and movable scales. The 

 tongue is round, long, and capable of being extended to 

 a great distance out of the mouth. 



Long-tailed Manis. Like the quills of the porcupine, 

 the scales of these animals constitute their weapons 

 of defence. When attacked they roll themselves into a 

 ball, and present to the foe a surface armed on all sides. 

 So hard are the scales, that they will strike fire like 

 flint. When the animals are at rest, these lie over 

 each other, like tiles upon a bouse. The Manis feeds on 

 ants, worms, and lizards, which it seizes, in a manner 

 similar to the ant-eater, by means of its long and slimy 

 tongue. Gentle and inoffensive in its manners, it seeks 

 to injure no one. It resides in holes of trees, or in 

 burrows which it forms in the ground. The negroes 

 are peculiarly partial to its flesh, which is not only 

 wholesome but palatable food. It is found in several 

 parts of India. 



A stuffed specimen of this animal, formerly in the 

 British Museum, was a yard and a half in length, of 

 which the tail measured a yard and half a quarter; the 

 body, including the head, being only fourteen inches. 

 On each of the feet there are four toes. The upper parts 

 of the body are covered with scales, and the lower parts 

 with hair. The scales are of a brownish colour, and have 

 a glossy or polished surface. 



