ANT-BEAR. ] 77 



closely, and holds him till he dies either from suffo- 

 cation or the want of food. Nor does the ant-bear 

 appear to suffer while thus imprisoning his enemy, 

 for no animal can equal him in abstinence, except, 

 perhaps, the land-tortoise. His skin is of a tex- 

 ture that resists the bite of a dog, and his back 

 is protected with thick and shaggy hair, while 

 his immense tail is sufficient to cover his whole 

 body. 



Indians fear to come in contact with this crea- 

 ture; even when he is disabled in the chase they 

 never think of approaching him till he is quite dead, 

 for his fore-legs are strong and muscular, and 

 armed with tremendous claws. 



" If," says Waterton, " in taking a sketch of the 

 ant-bear you judge of the way in which he stands 

 from that of other terrestrial animals, the sloth ex- 

 cepted, you will be in error." Stuffed specimens 

 and drawings represent his fore-claws in the same 

 forward attitudes as those of a dog or bear when 

 standing, but this would be to him a painful atti- 

 tude; the length and curve of his claws do not 

 admit of such a position, but he goes entirely on 

 the outer side of his fore-feet, which are bent in- 

 wards, and resemble a club. He is then quite at 

 ease, while his long claws are so arranged as not to 

 hurt him, and are prevented from becoming worn 

 like those of a dog by actual contact with the 

 ground. Two glands were also observed by the 

 same naturalist beneath the root of the tongue; 

 from these a glutinous liquor exudes, which is very 

 useful to the animal in catching ants, as when he 

 thrusts his tongue into a nest the insects adhere to 



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