MYRMECOPHAGID^E 191 



the external auditory meatus by the meeting in the middle line of 

 the largely developed pterygoids. The glenoid fossa a shallow oval 

 facet, with its long diameter from before backwards. Mandible very 

 long and slender, with an exceedingly short symphysis, no distinct 

 coronoid process, and a slightly elevated, elongated, flattened, con- 

 dylar articular surface. Vertebrae : C 7, D 15-16, L 3-2, S 6, C 31. 

 Clavicles rudimentary. In the manus the first digit is very 

 slender, the second also slender, with compressed phalanges of nearly 

 equal length. The third digit is immensely developed ; though its 

 proximal phalanx is extremely short, its ungual phalanx is so long 

 that the entire length of the digit exceeds that of the second. The 

 fourth has a long and rather slender metacarpal, and three 

 phalanges diminishing in size, the ungual phalanx being very 

 small. The fifth has the metacarpal nearly as long, but not so 

 stout, as the fourth, and followed by two small phalanges, the last 

 rudimentary and conical. Claws are developed upon all but the fifth. 

 In walking the toes are kept strongly flexed, and have their points 

 turned upwards and inwards, the weight being supported upon a 

 callous pad over the end of the fifth digit, and by the dorsal sur- 

 faces of the third and fourth digits. The hind feet are short and 

 rather broad, with five subequal claws, the fourth the longest, the 

 first shortest ; the whole sole is placed on the ground in walking. 

 Body rather compressed, clothed with long, coarse hair. Tail 

 about as long as the body, and covered with very long hair ; not 

 prehensile. Ears small, oval, erect. Eyes very small. Stomach 

 consisting of a subglobular, thin -walled, cardiac portion, and a 

 muscular pyloric gizzard with dense epithelial lining. No ileo- 

 colic valve, and a short wide ill- defined caecum. Mammas two, 

 pectoral. 



There is one species, 1 M. jubata, the Great Anteater, or Ant 

 Bear (Fig. 64), measuring 4 feet in length without the tail, and 

 upwards of 2 feet in height at the shoulder. Its prevailing colour 

 is gray, with a broad black band, bordered with white, commencing 

 on the chest, and passing obliquely over the shoulder, diminishing 

 gradually in breadth as it approaches the loins, where it ends in a 

 point. It is extensively distributed in the tropical parts of South 

 and Central America, frequenting low swampy savannas along the 

 banks of rivers, and the depths of the humid forests, but is nowhere 

 abundant. Its food consists mainly of termites, to obtain which it 

 opens their nests with its powerful sharp anterior claws, and as the 

 insects swarm to the damaged part of their dwelling, it draws them 

 into its mouth by means of its long, flexible, rapidly-moving tongue 

 covered with glutinous saliva. The Great Anteater is quite terres- 

 trial in its habits, being never known to climb trees, nor does it 



1 Professor Cope has recently come to the conclusion that there are three 

 species ; but further evidence is required iu support of this view. 



