HANTS TEMMINCKII. 
are three. So far as the five rows exist, the central row appears a regular 
continuation of the central row of the back ; but when the change to four 
takes place, the continuity is broken. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Ft. Inch. Lin. 
Length from the tip of the nose 
to the point of the tail... 2 5 0 
of the tail 1 0 6 
of the head 0 3 6 
of the fore legs 0 2 3 
of the hinder legs 0 3 6 
Height at the shoulder 0 6 6 
Ft. Inch. Lin. 
Breadth of the under surface of 
the tail at the base 0 5 3 
Distance between the nose and 
the eye o 1 7 
Distance between the eye and 
the ear o 0 10 
Manis Temminckii is readily to be distinguished from any of the other 
species of the genus yet described, simply from the central row of scales upon 
the upper surface of the tail terminating some way behind its point. From 
Manis pentadactyla, Lin., the species to which it bears most similarity, it is 
moreover to be distinguished by all its scales being proportionally larger! and 
by those on the head being shaped and disposed differently. The greater 
breadth of the tail, and the more divergent character of its marginal plates, 
also afford marked characters by which the species is easily to be recognised 
from Manis pentadactyla. 
Only one solitary specimen of this species was obtained by the expedition before reaching 
26 south latitude, and but two more between that parallel and the tropic of Capricorn, though 
others were known to have been captured in the latter tract while the travellers were actually 
traversing- it. It is very questionable if the animal be so rare in nature as the result of our expe- 
rience might incline us to believe. Its extreme scarcity probably arises from its having long been 
zealously sought after by the natives, who cherish a belief that it either has some influence upon 
cattle, or at least that certain observances in respect to it have an effect upon them. Whenever 
a specimen, therefore, is secured, it is immediately burned in some cattle pen, which, according 
to the opinion of the sacrifice!-, tends to increase the health and fertility of all cattle who may 
afterwards enter the fold. Not many years ago a specimen was captured in the northern part 
of the Cape colony, which circumstance renders it probable that the species was at one time 
scattered over the whole of South Africa, and that its almost total disappearance from the more 
southern districts has arisen from causes such as are now operating to effect a similar result 
in the interior. 
When discovered, Manis Temminckii never attempts to escape, but instantly rolls itself up 
into a globular form, taking special care of its head, which is the only part that is easily 
injured. Ants constitute its chief and favourite food, and these it secures by extending its 
piojectile tongue into holes which may exist in the habitations of these insects or which it may 
itself form ; and when, by means of the glutinous matter with which its tongue is covered, a 
full load has been received, a sudden contraction of the retractor muscles carries both into its 
mouth, aftei which the little animals are immediately swallowed. 
