THE PORCUPINE ANT-EATER. 31 



at this task that to confine the animal is by no means an easy 

 matter, even a paved yard affording but a poor safeguard against 

 Its escape. In the open country it digs with such extreme 

 rapidity tliat it can hardly be captured, gathering its back 

 into an arched form, collecting the legs under the body, 

 scratching away with the feet, and sinking like a stone in a 

 cup of treacle. 



If attacked when on ground into which it cannot burrow 

 rapidly, the Porcupine Ant-eater immediately turns itself into 

 a ball, hedgehog-wise, and sets its foes at defiance. The large 

 perforated spur with which the hind feet of the male are armed, 

 and through which is poured a liquid secreted by a gland of 

 considerable size, is a very formidable-looking weapon, but to 

 all appearances is really harmless. Dr. Bennett often handled 

 the animal, but never saw it attempt to use the spur, and found 

 that the duckbill, which is armed in a similar manner, was 

 equally innocuous. 



At the present date, January, 1864, the living animal may be 

 seen in the collection at the Zoological Gardens. 



