140 Q^U ADRUPEDS. 



Though they differ in figure, they refemble in flendernefs of fnout, and 

 amazing length of tongue. The two lad have prehenfile tails. 



The ant-bear is neither numerous, nor often fecn; its retreats are in the 

 moft barren parts of South America only ; refides chiefly in woods, hides 

 itlelf under fallen leaves ; lives entirely upon ants and infefts, which are 

 found in abundance, and often buUd hills, many feet high. Near 

 an ant-hill, it creeps ilowiy on its belly, cautioufly concealing itfelf, till 

 •within a proper diftance; there lying clofe, it thrufls forth its round red 

 tongue (often two feet long) acrofs the path of thefe bufy infedls, and 

 lets it lie morionlefs. The ants fwarm upon it ; but where they touch they 

 iticki held by a flimy fluid, which covers the tongue. Though without 

 teeth, fights with its claws very obftinately againft the dog, and eveu 

 the jaguar : throws itfelf on its back, faftens on its enemy with all its 

 claws, fliicks with great perfeverance, and even, after killing its invader, 

 remains faftened upon him with vindidive defperation. 



THE SLOTH. 



OF the fioth, are two kinds, difliinguifhed by their claws ; the 

 Unari with only two claws on each foot, and without a tailj the 

 Ai, having a tail, and three claws on each foot. The unan has the fnout 

 longer, the ears more apparent, and the fur very difi^erent; differs alfo 

 in the number of its ribs, having forty-fix, while the Ai has but twenty- 

 eight. Neverthelefs thefe two animals llrrongly relemble each other in 

 their general outlines and manners. 



The fur ofthe Ai is coarfe and daring, fomewhat refembling dried 

 grafsj tail very (hort, mouth large, eye dull and heavy, feet with three 

 claws, the feet fhort, but longer than its legsj proceeding from the body 

 obliquely, fo that the fole ofthe foot feldom touches the ground. When 

 the animal is compelled to fl:ep forward, it fcrapcs the back of its nails 

 along the furface, and wheeling its leg circularly about, (till touching 

 the ground, at length places its foot: limb after limb is moved with 

 equal difficulty, not above three feet in an hour. 



Lives entirely on vegetable food, the leaves, fruit, and flowers of 

 trees. Has four ftomachsj and generally drips a tree of its verdure in 



lefs 



