166. AMERICAN ANTEATERS CHAP. 
mY 
Sus-Orper 1. XENARTHRA. 
Fam. 1. Myrmecophagidae.—The family Myrmecophagidae 
contains three genera, all South American in range. These 
genera, Myrmecophaga, Tamandua, and Cycloturus, agree greatly 
in their outward form. They are all without teeth, and have 
long snouts and lone protrusible tongues. The fur is thick, and 
they have powerful claws wherewith to break down the strong 
ant-hills upon whose inhabitants they feed. Zamandua and 
Cycloturus are arboreal, Myrmecophaga is terrestrial in habit. 
Fic. 91.—Great Anteater. Myrmecophaga jubata. x 4's. 
The claws of the arboreal forms are useful to destroy the bark, 
and thus bring to light insects which lurk in such situations. 
The genus Myrmecophaga contains but one species, the Great 
Anteater, Myrmecophaga jubata. It is a large and handsome 
animal, with long, shaggy, greyish-black hair and a broad white 
stripe across the shoulder. The coloration is similar in the two sexes. 
Including the long and bushy tail it reaches a length of over 
7 feet. It is on account of its long tongue and greatly developed 
salivary glands that this and the allied genera were originally 
placed with Manis. It is theesubmaxillary glands which are so 
enormous; they extend back over the chest, and open by three 
distinct ducts, of which two unite just before the external orifice. 
