300 ORDER IX. 



THE TAMANDUA OR GREAT ANTEATER. 

 PLATE XXII. 



Myrmecophaga jubata. 



NEARLY 5 feet long, with four toes anteriorly, and 

 five on the hind feet ; has a long brushy tail, with 

 vertical hairs ahove and helow, frequently carried in 

 the form of an umbrella : the hair is coarse, longish, 

 grey-brown, with a broad band of black, edged 

 white, passing obliquely from the breast upon the 

 shoulder; the feet dark brown or black. This 

 species is said to be a match for the Jaguar, being 

 protected by its fur and tough hide, and able to use 

 its cutting claws with great force. We have our- 

 selves seen a large and very hard termite nest, which 

 had been torn open a few hours before by one of 

 these animals ; giving ample proof of their strength 

 and the power of their claws. 



The Myrm. tetrodactyla, commonly called Three- 

 toed Anteater, is much smaller, inhabits trees, and 

 is sooty black, or flaxen white, or party coloured ; 

 and the Two-toed Anteater, still smaller, with a 

 soft downy fur, is likewise arboreal; and, we be- 

 lieve, always whitish. 



Genus MANIS. The Manis. These are the Scalj 



