THE TAMANOIR, OH GREAT ANT-EATER. 633 
feet, the tail being twenty inches long, and it is a very powerful creature, especially in the 
fore-limbs, which are adapted for digging, and are furnished with strong hoof -like claws at 
their extremities. These claws can be used with marvellous rapidity and force, and are 
employed for the purpose of destroying the dwellings of the ants on which the Aard Y ark 
feeds, as well as for digging a burrow for its own habitation. 
The burrows are not very deep, but are of tolerably large dimensions, and are often used, 
when deserted, as extempore tombs, to save the friends of the deceased from the trouble of 
digging a grave for their departed comrade. The creature makes, its burrows with marvellous 
rapidity, and can generally dig faster with its claws than a man with a spade. 
The Aard Yark is a nocturnal animal, and can very seldom be seen during the day-time. 
At night it issues from its burrow, and, making its way towards the ant-hills, begins its work 
of destruction. Laying its fore-feet upon the stone-like walls of these edifices, the Aard Y ark 
speedily tears them down, and as the terrified insects run about in the bewilderment caused 
by the sudden destruction of their tenements, it sweeps them into its mouth with rapid move- 
ments of its long and extensile tongue. This member is covered with a tenacious glutinous 
secretion, to which the ants adhere, and which prevents them from making their escape during 
the short period of time that elapses between the moment when they are first touched and that 
in which they are drawn into the mouth. 
The remaining Ant-eaters possess no teeth whatever, and the aperture of their mouth is 
extremely small. 
In its general habit and structure, the Tamanoir, or Great Ant-eater, or Ant-bear, is 
very similar to the preceding animal. It is, however, entirely destitute of teeth, possesses a 
wonderfully elongated and narrow head, and is thickly covered with long, coarse hair, which 
on the tail forms a heavy plume. The color of this animal is brown, washed with gray on the 
head and face, and interspersed with pure white hairs on the head, body, and tail. The throat 
is black, and a long triangular black mark arises from the throat, and passes obliquely over 
the shoulders. There are four toes on the fore-feet, and five on the hinder. In total length 
it measures between six and seven feet, the tail being about two feet six inches long. 
The claws of the fore-feet are extremely long and curved, and are totally unfitted for loco- 
motion. When the animal is not employing these instruments in destroying, it folds the 
long claws upon a thick, rough pad which is placed in the palm, and seems to render the 
exertion of walking less difficult. As, however, the Ant-bear is forced to walk upon the outer 
edge of its fore-feet, its progress is a peculiarly awkward one, and cannot be kept up for any 
long time. Its mode of feeding is similar to that of the aard vark, which has just been detailed, 
and the creature seems to possess considerable grasping power in the toes of the fore-limbs, 
being able to pick up a small object in its paws. Though not a fighter, it can defend itself 
right well by means of these powerful instruments, and can not only strike with considerable 
violence, but when attacked by a dog or similar enemy, it clasps him in such a terrific gripe, 
that the half -suffocated animal is only too glad to be able to escape. 
The Ant-bear is said to make no burrow, but to content itself with the shade of its own 
plumy tail whenever it retires to rest. While sleeping, the creature looks very like a rough 
bundle of hay, thrown loosely on the ground, for the hair of the mane and tail is so long and 
so harsh that it can hardly be recognized at the first glance for the veritable coat of a living 
animal. The eye of this creature has a peculiar and indescribably cunning expression. The 
Tamanoir is a native of Guinea, Brazil, and Paraguay. 
Family Myrmecophagidce is represented by a few species in South America. Among 
them, notably the Great Ant-eater, which is exceedingly well represented in the annexed 
engraving. It is the largest of living Edentate animals ; yet, what a pigmy, compared to the 
vast frames of the megatherium and mylodons. 
The Tamandua, next in size, is closely allied to the preceding. The figure of this is also 
very excellent, conveying more than any description can do of its peculiarities. 
The Little Ant-eaters, Oyclothurus , are possessed of prehensile tails, which aid them in 
