77 2 



THE TAMANOIR, OR ANT-BEAR. 



begins its work of destruction. Laying its fore-feet upon the stone-like walls of these 

 edifices, the Aard Vark speedily tears them down, and as the terrified insects run about 

 in the bewilderment caused by the sudden destruction of their tenements, it sweeps them 

 into its mouth with rapid movements of its long and extensile tongue. This member is 

 covered with a tenacious glutinous secretion, to which the ants adhere, and which pre- 

 vents them from making their escape during the short period of time that elapses be- 

 tween the moment when they are first touched and that in which they are drawn into 

 the mouth. 



THE remaining Ant-eaters possess no teeth whatever, and the aperture of their 

 mouth is extremely small. 



TAMANOIR, OR ANT-BEAR. Myrmecophagajubata. 



In its general habit and structure, the TAMANOIR, or GREAT ANT-EATER, or ANT-BEAR, 

 is very similar to the preceding animal. It is, however, entirely destitute of teeth, 

 possesses a wonderfully elongated and narrow head, and is thickly covered with long, 

 coarse hair, which on the tail forms a heavy plume. The color of this animal is brown, 

 washed with gray on the head and face, and interspersed with pure white hairs on the 

 head, body, and tail. The throat is black, and a long triangular black mark arises from 

 the throat, and passes obliquely over the shoulders. There are four toes on the fore- 

 feet, and five on the hinder. In total length it measures between six and seven feet, 

 the tail being about two feet six inches long. 



The claws of the fore-feet are extremely long and curved, and are totally unfitted for 

 locomotion. When the animal is not employing these instruments in destroying, it folds 

 the long claws upon a thick, rough pad which is placed in the palm, and seems to render 

 the exertion of walking less difficult. As, however, the Ant-bear is forced to walk upon 

 the outer edge of its fore-feet, its progress is a peculiarly awkward one, and cannot be kept* 

 up for any long time. Its mode of feeding is similar to that of the aard vark, which has 



