452 
ZOOLOGY OF 
Bicotyles taiagu. The smaller wild Hog. Taititu of 
the Indians. 
B. lahiatus ? — The larger species, called by the natives 
“ Taiagu.” 
There seems to be also a third species, of the same size 
as the last. 
Arctopitliecus Jlaccidus ? Pregiiica real. Ai, L. G. 
The great Sloth. 
Bradypus torquatus. Ai, L. G. — These and some 
other species of sloths are not uncommon. They feed 
entirely on leaves, preferring those of the Cecropias. 
They are frequently attacked by the harpy eagle, and 
are also eaten by the Indians. Tor their habits see 
pages 48 and 52. 
Myrmecophaga juhata. Tamandua assn, L. G. “ The 
great Anteater.” — This animal is rare, but widely dis- 
tributed. During rain it turns its long bushy tail up 
over its back and stands still; the Indians, when they 
meet with one, rustle the leaves, and it thinks rain is 
falling, and turning up its tail, they take the opportunity 
of killing it by a blow on the head with a stick. It feeds 
on the large termites, or white ants, tearing up with 
its powerful claws the earth and rotten wood in which 
their nests are made. The Indians positively assert that 
it sometimes kills the jaguar, embracing it and forcing 
in its enormous claws, till they mutually destroy each 
other. They also declare that these animals are all 
females, and believe that the male is the curupira,’’ or 
demon of the forests : the peculiar organization of the 
animal has probably led to this error. It lives entirely 
on the ground. 
