GREAT ANT-EATER. 47 



selves under withered leaves, and seldom venture from 

 their retreat till impelled by the calls of hunger. The 

 industry of an hour will suffice to procure them a sup- 

 ply of food for several days ; as ants are not only large, 

 but immensely numerous in those climates where the 

 animal now under consideration is a native. 



When they discover an ant-hill, they approach it slowly 

 and silently ; and having taken a favourable position, 

 stretch out their long viscid tongue across the path of the 

 ants. As soon as a sufficient number have overspread the 

 tongue, they draw it into their mouth ; repeating the pro 

 cess till their hunger is satiated, when they again retire to 

 their lurking-places. 



Though the ant-eater avoids all its enemies with dili- 

 gent care, and never provokes a combat with other qua- 

 drupeds, yet, when closely attacked, it will defend itself 

 against the dog, and even the jaguar, by means of its 

 claws, with the most resolute animosity. In short, where- 

 ever it fixes, it never relinquishes its hold while it has life. 



GREAT ANT-EATER. 



A particular description of this species may serve to 

 give a competent idea of all the rest. In the Leverian 

 Museum was a specimen upwards of seven feet long, and 

 about two feet high. The tongue is thirty inches long ; 

 the nose, or snout, is long and slender ; and the eyes are 

 small and black. On each of the fore feet are four toes, 

 and five on the hind feet : the two middle claws are verv 

 strong, large, and hooked. The hair on the upper pan 

 of the body is black, mixed with grey ; and generally 

 about six inches long. A black line, bounded with white, 

 extends from the neck across the shoulders to the sides ; 

 and the tail is covered with long, coarse, black hair. 



This animal is a native of Brazil and Guiana. The fe- 

 male brings forth but a single young one at a time, and 

 on these occasions proves extremely fierce when provoked. 

 The flesh of the ant-eater, though rank and unpalatable 

 to Europeans, is highly prized by the Indians. 



