30O NATURALISTS CABINET. 



Singular method of procuring prey. 



Tins quadruped climbs trees with great dexte- 

 rity, and accustoms itself to hang on the boughs 

 by the tail. It also frequently hides itself be- 

 neath the roots of bushes and trees, under the 

 fallen leaves. 



The method which the ant-eater adopts in 

 order to procure its prey is very singular. When 

 it approaches the ant-hills, with which the new 

 continent abounds, it cieeps slowly forward on 

 its belly, using every precaution to keep itself 

 cpncealed, till it come within a proper distance. 

 It then lays itself down and thrusts out its long 

 tongue across the path of the ants, and there lets 

 it lie motionless for several minutes. The little 

 busy insects, some of which are half an inch 

 long, considering this as a worm, or piece of 

 flesh thrown before them, issue forth, and swarm 

 over it; but wherever they touch, they are im- 

 mediately entangled in a kind of glutinous fluid, 

 with which it is covered; and when the animal 

 perceives a sufficient number collected, it draw* 

 in its tongue, and devours them in a moment. 

 It continues to repeat this experiment till it has 

 appeased its hunger : after which, it retires to its 

 hiding-place to repose; and thus the industry of 

 an hour frequently yields it a sufficient supply 

 for several days together. 



The ant-hills here alluded to are sometimes 

 five or six feet high, and so abundantly inhabited, 

 as to afford sustenance to one of these animals 

 for a considerable length of time. 



