MYRMECOPHAGIDA I9I 
the external auditory meatus by the meeting in the middle line of 
the largely developed pterygoids. The glenoid fossa a shallow oval 
facet, with its long diameter from before backwards. Mandible very 
long and slender, with an exceedingly short symphysis, no distinct 
coronoid process, and a slightly elevated, elongated, flattened, con- 
dylar articular surface. Vertebre: C7, D 15-16, L 3-2,8 6, C31. 
Clavicles rudimentary. In the manus the first digit is very 
slender, the second also slender, with compressed phalanges of nearly 
equal length. The third digit is immensely developed ; though its 
proximal phalanx is extremely short, its ungual phalanx is so long 
that the entire length of the digit exceeds that of the second. The 
fourth has a long and rather slender metacarpal, and three 
phalanges diminishing in size, the ungual phalanx being very 
small. The fifth has the metacarpal nearly as long, but not so 
stout, as the fourth, and followed by two small phalanges, the last 
rudimentary and conical. Claws are developed upon all but the fifth. 
In walking the toes are kept strongly flexed, and have their points 
turned upwards and inwards, the weight being supported upon a 
callous pad over the end of the fifth digit, and by the dorsal sur- 
faces of the third and fourth digits. The hind feet are short and 
rather broad, with five subequal claws, the fourth the longest, the 
first shortest ; the whole sole is placed on the ground in walking. 
Body rather compressed, clothed with long, coarse hair. Tail 
about as long as the body, and covered with very long hair ; not 
prehensile. Ears small, oval, erect. Eyes very small. Stomach 
consisting of a subglobular, thin-walled, cardiac portion, and a 
muscular pyloric gizzard with dense epithelial lining. No ileo- 
colic valve, and a short wide ill-defined cecum. Mammez two, 
pectoral. 
There is one species,! J/. jubata, the Great Anteater, or Ant 
Bear (Fig. 64), measuring 4 feet in length without the tail, and 
upwards of 2 feet in height at the shoulder. Its prevailing colour 
is gray, with a broad black band, bordered with white, commencing 
on the chest, and passing obliquely over the shoulder, diminishing 
gradually in breadth as it approaches the loins, where it ends in a 
point. It is extensively distributed in the tropical parts of South 
and Central America, frequenting low swampy savannas along the 
banks of rivers, and the depths of the humid forests, but is nowhere 
abundant. Its food consists mainly of termites, to obtain which it 
opens their nests with its powerful sharp anterior claws, and as the 
insects swarm to the damaged part of their dwelling, it draws them 
into its mouth by means of its long, flexible, rapidly-moving tongue 
covered with glutinous saliva. The Great Anteater is quite terres- 
trial in its habits, being never known to climb trees, nor does it 
1 Professor Cope has recently come to the conclusion that there are three 
species ; but further evidence is required in support of this view. 
