302 CLASS MAMMALIA. 



form with more celerity than any other ; and further, it 

 must be remembered that this animal is incapable of leap- 

 ing or springing, and can, in fact, only seize and hold any 

 thing that is presented before it. " I have killed several," 

 says M. D'Azara, " by striking them on the head with a 

 thick stick with the same security as if I had struck the 

 trunk of a tree." 



It is, however, excessively strong, but of very lethargic 

 habits. When about to sleep, it lies on the side, places 

 the head between the arms, joins the fore feet to those 

 behind, and spreads its tail over the upper side so as to 

 cover the whole body. It is solitary in its habits, and 

 the female brings but one at a birth, which is constantly 

 in company with its mother, even after it is able to walk, 

 and till it is nearly a year old. 



In a state of liberty, this animal subsists perhaps alto- 

 gether on ants. To procure its food it scratches the ant- 

 hills with its long nails, when the insects immediately 

 come forth from their retreat in great numbers. The 

 Tamandua then draws its long, thin, narrow tongue among 

 them, and withdraws it to the mouth laden with ants. The 

 animal repeats this action with so much celerity, that in 

 the space of a single second it protrudes and withdraws 

 the tongue twice, which is, in fact, never thrust below the 

 surface. 



It appears incredible that such diminutive insects can 

 suffice to support an animal of such size and strength. 

 The wonder, however, is said to diminish much to those 

 who have the opportunity of seeing the immense multitude 

 of these insects contained under a single ant-hill, which, 

 in these countries, are so numerous as frequently almost to 

 touch each other. 



The Maned Ant-eaters have, occasionally been domesti- 

 cated, and in this state have been fed on soft bread, morsels 

 of meat, and flour steeped in water ; food, we may observe, 



