HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 459 



The ANT-EATER. 



THERE are feveral animals diftinguifhed by the 

 common name of Ant-eaters, which differ great- 

 ly in form. They are divided into three claries; viz. 



the Great, the Middle, and the Leffer Ant-eater. 



The Great Ant-eater is nearly four feet in 

 length, exclufive of its tail, which is two and a half. 

 It is remarkable for the great length of its fnout, which 

 is of a cylindrical form, and ferves as a fheath to its long 

 and llender tongue, which always lies folded double in 

 its mouth, and is the chief inftrument by which it finds 

 fubfiftence. 



This creature is a native of Brazil and Guiana, runs 

 fiowly, frequently fwims over rivers, lives wholly on 

 ants, which it collects by thrufting its tongue into their 

 holes, and having penetrated every part of the neft, with- 

 draws it into its mouth loaded with prey. 



Its legs are fo ftrong, that few animals can extricate 

 themfelves from its gripe. It is faid to be formidable 



