278 INDIRECT BENEFITS DERIVED FROM INSECTS. 



ratel, (Viverra mellivora,) which has a particular instinct 

 enabling it to discover bees, and attack them in their en- 

 trenchments. Near sun-set the ratel will sit and hold 

 one of his paws before his eyes, in order to get a distinct 

 view of the object of his pursuit ; and when, in conse- 

 quence of his peering about in this manner, he sees any 

 bees flying, he knows that at this time of the day they 

 are making for their habitations, whither he follows them, 

 and so attains his end a . Another species of Viverra 

 ( V.prehensilis) is also reputed to be an eager insect-hunter. 

 The young armadillos feed on a species of locust; but no 

 quadruped can with more propriety be called insectivo- 

 rous than the ant-eaters (Myrmecophaga), which, as their 

 name imports, live upon ants. The great ant-eater, 

 when he comes to an ant-hill, scratches it up with his 

 long claws, and then unfolds his slender worm-like 

 tongue, (which is more than two feet long, and wet with 

 saliva,) and when covered with ants draws it back into 

 his mouth and swallows thousands of them alive, renew- 

 ing the operation till no more are to be found. He also 

 climbs trees in search of wood-lice and wild honey. Bats, 

 as every one knows, are always flitting about in summer 

 evenings, hawking for insects : and the Lemur and mon- 

 keys will also eat them. 



Insects likewise afford a favourite kind of food to many 

 reptiles : the tortoise ; frogs and toads ; and lizards too 

 of different kinds. St. Pierre mentions a small and very 

 handsome species in the island of Mauritius, that pur- 

 sues them into the houses, climbs up the walls, and even 

 Avalks over glass, watching with great patience for an op- 



1 Sparrman, ii. 180. 



