406 ANT-EATERS. 



which they attract animals towards them. Bates and Wallace 

 also mention having seen, on several occasions, jaguars per- 

 fectly tame, roaming in and out of the huts, as their smaller 

 feline relatives would have done. 



ANT-EATERS. 



Within the recesses of the primeval forest, near the borders 

 of a river or lake, a large mass of what looks, at a little 

 distance, like a collection of some long, coarse, curled, fibrous 

 substance, is often seen by the hunter. The jaguar glances at 

 it askance and passes it by, — although, when hunger presses 

 him, he may long to obtain the dainty meal which lies 

 beneath. The huge hairy mass is the tail of the ant-bear, 

 which serves it as a shelter from the rays of the noonday sun 

 and from the deluges of the rainy season : spread out over 

 its body, it is the sole covering it seeks, as it neither buiTOws, 

 nor takes up its abode in the hollows of trees nor in artificial 

 caves. With its elongated toothless head and thin tongue, it 

 seems utterly incapable, at the first glance, of defending itself, 

 not only against the jaguar or puma, but, notwithstanding 

 its great size, against even the attacks of the smallest car- 

 nivorous animals of the wilds, as it moves with toilsome and 

 awkward steps over the ground. It cannot climb the trees ; 

 unadapted for swimming, it dare not seek safety in the water ; 

 and incapable of moving rapidly, it is unable to run from its 

 foes. Its hind-feet, unlike those of many animals, are value- 

 less for defence ; but yet it has not been left without ample 

 means of protection. Examine its fore-feet, and on each will be 

 seen two large, powerful, trenchant claws. With these, aided 

 by its muscular power, and thick hide covered with long coarse 

 hair, it boldly defies the attacks of the fiercest creatures. 



