THE ANT-BEAR. 401 



keep itself concealed, till it comes within a proper 

 distance of the place where it intends to make its 

 banquet ; there lying closely along at its length, 

 it thrusts forth its round red tongue, which is 

 often two feet long, across the path of these busy 

 insects, and there lets it lie motionless for several 

 minutes together. The ants of that country, 

 some of which are half an inch long, considering 

 it as a piece of flesh accidentally thrown before 

 them, come forth and swarm upon it in great 

 numbers ; but wherever they touch they stick ; 

 for this instrument is covered with a slimy fluid, 

 which, like bird-lime, entangles every creature 

 that lights upon it. When therefore the ant-bear 

 has found a sufficient number for one morsel, it 

 instantly draws in the tongue, and devours them 

 all in a moment, after which it still continues in 

 its position, practising the same arts until its 

 hunger is entirely appeased : it then retires to 

 its hiding-place once more, where it continues 

 in indolent existence till again excited by the 

 calls of hunger. 



Such is the luxurious life of a creature, that 

 seems of all others the most helpless and deform- 

 ed. It finds safety in its hiding-places from its 

 enemies, and an ample supply in some neigh- 

 bouring ant-hill for all its appetites. As it only 

 tries to avoid its pursuers, it is seldom discovered 

 by them; yet helpless as this animal is, when 

 driven to an extremity, though without teeth, it 

 will fight with its claws with great obstinacy. 

 With these arms alone it has often been found to 

 oppose the dog, and even the jaguar. It throws 



VOL. in. c c 



