THE ANT-EATER. 
39 
persistent enemy to the lizard, the toad, and all the serpent spe- [ 
cies, with which the country it inhabits abounds. As soon as it | 
perceives a serpent or a viper, it seizes it with its fore hoofs and 
teeth, shins it in an instant and devours the flesh. The young 
peccaries follow the dam and do not separate from her until they 
have reached maturity. If taken when young they are easily | 
tamed and very soon lose their natural ferocity ; but they never 
display any remarkable signs of docility, further than to be allow- 
ed to run about without any apprehension of dangerous results. 
THE ANT - EATER. 
/^Khis creature is a native of Brazil and Guiana, and is one of 
ll . three species, which are distinguished respectively as the 
Great, the Middle, and the Lesser Ant-eater. The engra- 
ving represents the first named. This animal is nearly four feet 
long, exclusive of the tail, which is two and a half, and covered 
with rough hair exceeding twelve inches in length; its head is 
fourteen inches long, and its snout is of cylindrical shape, serving 
as a sheath to its long and slender tongue, which always lies 
folded in its mouth. Its legs are strong and only a foot high, the 
fore ones being a trifle higher and more slender than those behind. 
It swims over rivers, and subsists entirely on ants, which it col- 
lects by thrusting its wire-like tongue into the ant-nests, and 
having penetrated every part thereof withdraws it into its mouth 
loaded with the insects. 
