21 



February 12, 1839. 

 Thomas Bell, Esq., V.P., in the Chair. 



A paper from Dr. Schomburgk, entitled " Remarks on the Greater 

 Ant-bear {Myrmecophagajitbata)," Avas read. This paper commences 

 with some general observations on the Edentata and Monotremata : 

 the author then proceeds to give a detailed description of the animal 

 under consideration. The following is an abstract of the remaining 

 portion of the paper, or that which relates to the habits of the animal. 



Dr. Schomburgk observes, that at a distance the Ant-bear appears 

 to be a much taller animal than it really is, owing to the elongated 

 and nearly erect hair of the mane, and also the erect manner in which 

 it carries its large bushy tail. When walking, the outer portion of 

 the fore foot is applied to the ground, and the long claws are then 

 doubled inwards. It runs with a peculiar trot, and is not, as has 

 been represented, slow in its movements and easily overtaken ; for 

 when chased it will keep a horse in canter, and does not tire readily. 

 White Ants or Termites constitute its chief food. When the Ant- 

 bear meets with one of the tumuli constructed by the Wliite Ants, 

 it immediatelj' pulls the fabric down by means of its large strong 

 claws, and when the Ants are thus exposed its long slender tongue 

 is thrust out to collect them. The movements of the tongue, alter- 

 nately being protruded and retracted, are so rapid, says Dr. Schom- 

 burgk, that it is no longer surprising how so large an animal can 

 satiate its appetite with such minute insects. The Ant-bear is, how- 

 ever, an economist, and does not destroy more than he wants. 

 When he finds that the Termites diminish on the surface, and every 

 one seeks to escape in the numerous galleries of the ruined edifice, 

 he uses his left foot to hold some large lumps of the nest, whilst 

 with the right he leisurely pulls them to pieces. 



With the Termites he swaHows a considerable quantitj'^ of the ma- 

 terial of which the Ants' nest is constructed. Of this fact Dr. Schom- 

 burgk assured himself by dissection, and he is of opinion that the 

 substance of the nest serves as a corrector. 



" It has been generally thought," says Dr. Schomburgk, " that the 

 Ant-bear lives exclusively on Ants ; this, however, is not the case. 

 In one which I dissected a year ago, a species of Julus was found ; 

 and the avidity with which an adult one now in my possession swal- 

 lowed fresh meat, which was hashed up for it, makes me believe 

 that even in the wild state it does not satisfy itself exclusively with 

 Ants, and, provided the food is of such a size that it can take it up 

 with its moveable upper lip, it does not despise it. 



" The Ant-bear makes neither nest nor burrow, its ample tail ser- 

 ving it as sole protection against the inclemency of the weather. One 

 of its favourite positions when at rest, is to tuck up its feet under its 

 belly, and to unite the two extremities almost close together ; in whic^ 



No. LXXIV. — Proceedings of the Zoological Society^ 



