1842.] Asiatic Society. 455 



rous, and differently disposed, in the new species from what they are in Javanica, 

 appearing as hexagons instead of lying in quincunx order; on the hind-limbs the same 

 diversity exists, but is less strongly marked. Protruding from beneath every scale of 

 Javanica are seven or eight conspicuous bristles; while in leptura one or two only 

 can be discerned here and there, scarcely more than in pentadactyla. The number 

 of series of scales consists in leptura of nineteen, and in Javanica of seventeen ; the 

 central row from the occiput to the tail-tip of the former consists of fifty-three, to 

 which may be added ten upon the head. Lastly, the under-parts are less hispid in 

 leptura than in Javanica, and the tail is both narrower and longer. The general 

 colour of the scales in leptura is deep rufous-brown, while those of Javanica are 

 blackish-brown, and of pentadactyla whitish or glaucous-brown. In the specimen 

 now presented, however, of the latter, as before remarked, the colour of the scales is 

 darker and less glaucous than usual.* 



* Siuce the above was written, the extremely interesting account of the ordinary Indian Pangolin, 

 by Lieutenant Tickell, has appeared in the Journal (ante, p. 221, et seq.J, and the analogies pre- 

 sented by this animal and the Great Anteater ( Myrmecophaga jubata) of South America, of which 

 so interesting a notice has been published by M. Schomburgk, (P. Z. S. 1839, 24,) are worthy of 

 being studied. 



The retension of the foeces was observed in both instances ; and M. Schomburgh supplies us with 

 a hint as to what food the Pangolin may not improbably be maintained upon in captivity. Of an 

 adult Myrmecophaga, he writes : " It began to feed on the third day ; we gave it ants and farina ; 

 the latter, a preparation of cassada root, it never refused. The ant's nests in the neighbourhood were 

 soon exhausted, and more by way of experiment than out of persuasion that the animal would eat 

 it, some small pieces of fresh beef were placed before it ; to our greatest astonishment it ate the 

 meat with avidity, and has since been chiefly fed on fresh beef and fish. We observed that in the 

 course of three weeks it evacuated only twice, and then very copiously ; this was likewise the case 

 with the young one; and before I noticed the same circumstance with the adult, I thought its 

 death was partly caused by constipation." So, likewise, in Lieutenant Tickell's Pangolin, after 

 it had fasted several days, " there was a quantity of the remains of ants in its stomach, and the 

 rectum was full of fceces." 



The Myrmecophaga " secretes a liquid substance, transparent like water, which drops almost 

 constantly out of its nostrils and mouth ; this is the more remarkable, as it used very little water." 

 It does not appear that the same was noticed of the Pangolin. 



The prodigious strength of both animals is sufficiently attested by the osseous and muscular 

 conformations subservient to its display. 



Both raise themselves on the hind legs to reconnoitre ; but the Myrmecophaga exhibits the more 

 usual structure having reference to this habit, as it possesses plantigrade hind-soles ; while the 

 weightiness of the tail may be inferred to afford considerable aid to the Pangolin in enabling it to 

 maintain those remarkable attitudes observed by Lieutenant Tickell. While the latter crea- 

 ture, however, would appear to be wholly incapable of active defence, the former rises on its 

 haunches, and strikes with the sharp claws of one of its fore- feet at its enemy, while the other 

 remains pendent, and only in cases of great danger throws itself on its back, and strikes with both 

 fore-feet, or embraces with its fatal hug. The little two-toed Anteater has likewise been observed 

 to defend itself by striking with one of its fore-limbs. 



The very curious little animal last noticed has been ascertained to feed on the nymphae of 

 arboreal Hymenoptera, which it seizes with great address by means of its nipper-like fore-claws ; 

 and M. Schomburgh relates, of the Great Anteater, that — " It attempted frequently to take up 

 objects with its paws ; in which manoeuvre its long claws assisted wonderfully. * * * It 

 climbed up the palings of its pen with great agility, never using both of its arms at a time, but 

 first one and then the other ; and if it had taken hold sufficiently with its claws, it raised the whole 

 body, and brought up the hind-feet. We may conclude from this fact upon the strength of the 

 muscles of its fore-limbs. The great muscle of the arm, of one which wc dissected, was two inches 

 wide, and three-eighths of an inch thick. 



