4 6o HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



even to the Panthers of America ; and fometimes fixes it- 

 felf upon them in fuch a manner, that both of them fall 

 and perifh together ; for its obftinacy is fo great, that it 

 will not extricate itfelf from its adverfary even after he is 

 dead. 



The flefh has a ftrong difagreeable tafte, but is eaten 

 by the Indians. 



The Middle Ant-eater is one foot feven inches 

 from hofe to tail. It inhabits the fame countries, and 

 procures its food in the fame manner, as the laft. Its 

 tail is ten inches long, with which it fecures its hold in 

 climbing trees by twifting it round the branches. 



Both thefe animals have four ftrong claws on the fore 

 feet, and five on the hind. 



The Lesser Ant-eater has a (harp-pointed nofe, 

 inclining a little downward : Its ears are fmall, and hid 

 in the fur : It has two ftrong hooked claws on the fore 

 feet, the outward one being much the largeft ; and four 

 on the hind feet : Its fur is long, foft, and filky, — of a 

 yellowifh-brown colour : Its length, from nofe to tail, is 

 feven inches and a half*, tail above eight, thick at the 

 bafe, and taper to the end. — It inhabits Guiana ; climbs 

 trees in quell of a fpecies of ants which build their nefts 

 among the branches. 



Animals of this kind are found in Ceylon and the 



Cape of Good Hope. Kolben defcribes the latter as 



having long heads and tongues ; that they feed on ants j 

 and are fo ftrong, that, if they faften their claws in the 

 ground, they cannot eafily be pulled away. It is call- 

 ed in Ceylon the Tatgoi, or Ant- Bear. 



