THE TAMANOIR, OR GREAT ANT-EATER. 633 



feet, the tail being twenty inches long, and it is a very powerful creature, especially in the 

 fore-limbs, which are adapted for digging, and are furnished with strong hoof-like claws at 

 their extremities. These claws can be used with marvellous rapidity and force, and are 

 employed for the purpose of destroying the dwellings of the ants on which the Aard Vark 

 feeds, as well as for digging a burrow for its own habitation. 



The burrows are not very deep, but are of tolerably large dimensions, and are often used, 

 when deserted, as extempore tombs, to save the friends of the deceased from the trouble of 

 digging a grave for their departed comrade. The creature makes its burrows with marvellous 

 rapidity, and can generally dig faster with its claws than a man with a spade. 



The Aard Vark is a nocturnal animal, and can very seldom be seen during the day-time. 

 At night it issues from its burrow, and, making its way towards the ant-hills, 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 move- 

 ments of its long and extensile tongue. This member is covered with a tenacious glutinous 

 secretion, to which the ants adhere, and which prevents them from making their escape during 

 the short period of time that elapses between 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. 



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 loco- 

 motion. 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 just been detailed, 

 and the creature seems to possess considerable grasping power in the toes of the fore-limbs, 

 being able to pick up a small object in its paws. Though not a fighter, it can defend itself 

 right well by means of these powerful instruments, and can not only strike with considerable 

 violence, but when attacked by a dog or similar enemy, it clasps him in such a terrific gripe, 

 that the half -suffocated animal is only too glad to be able to escape. 



The Ant-bear is said to make no burrow, but to content itself with the shade of its own 

 plumy tail whenever it retires to rest. While sleeping, the creature looks very like a rough 

 bundle of hay, thrown loosely on the ground, for the hair of the mane and tail is so long and 

 so harsh that it can hardly be recognized at the first glance for the veritable coat of a living 

 animal. The eye of this creature has a peculiar and indescribably cunning expression. The 

 Tamanoir is a native of Guinea, Brazil, and Paraguay. 



Family Mprmecop7iagidce is represented by a few species in South America. Among 

 them, notably the Great Ant-eater, which is exceedingly well represented in the annexed 

 engraving. It is the largest of living Edentate animals ; yet, what a pigmy, compared to the 

 vast frames of the megatherium and mylodons. 



The Tamanclua, next in size, is closely allied to the preceding. The figure of this is also 

 very excellent, conveying more than any description can do of its peculiarities. 



The Little Ant-eaters, CyclotJmrus, are possessed of prehensile tails, which aid them in 



