110 ANT-BEARS. 



particular periods as almost to cover it. When 

 pike have been allowed to increase to a great ex- 

 tent, the smaller fish are not only exterminated, 

 but also the young of water-fowl, and indeed many 

 of the old birds. 



In South America, where Ants are known to 

 exist in immense quantities, provision has been 

 made to keep them within due bounds, and yet to 

 make them subservient to the uses for which they 

 were created. In order to effect this, three species 

 of ant-Bears are found, which feed on these insects, 

 and which are admirably furnished with the neces- 

 sary means of doing so. The claws are long, 

 strong, and curved, to enable them to scratch up 

 the ant-hills ; the tongue is long, and at the root 

 of it, according to Mr. Waterton, there are two 

 very large glands, from which is emitted a gluti- 

 nous liquid. This liquid lubricates the tongue 

 when it is put into the ant's nest, and they and 

 their eggs stick to it. The ant-bear is provided 

 with such a skin, that neither ants, however large, 

 or even dogs, are able to make any impression on 

 it; and its fore-feet are remarkably strong and 

 muscular. Should a great destruction of these 

 useful and harmless animals take place, the 

 ants probably would become an intolerable nui- 

 sance. These animals range the forests fearlessly, 

 as their great strength, and the peculiar tough- 

 ness of their skin, with its covering, preserve 



