THE GKEAT ANT-EATER. 
{MYRMECOPHAGA JURAT A.) 
It is often remarked that there is something in a name, 
but if by the name of the above-mentioned animal we 
were to take it for granted that the food of the animal con- 
sisted of ants, and feed him accordingly, I fear no living 
specimen would ever reach Europe. Of the five or six 
specimens that have, from time to time, come within my 
observations, as well as the various means and kinds of 
food that have been employed to sustain them, I am satis- 
fied that the name, if intended to indicate the food of this 
creature, is only a delusion. 
The first great ant-eater that I remember to have seen 
alive came to England in 1853. This animal was fed prin- 
cipally upon raw eggs, milk, and the intestines of rabbits ; 
upon this food the animal lived for several months, but 
during the whole of this time appeared unhealthy. 
In 1866 a fine large adult ant-eater arrived in South- 
ampton and was allowed the free range of a large kitchen 
garden. The beast was amazingly strong, active, and 
somewhat dangerous, as he would sometimes suddenly 
attack and strike with his front claws any one who 
ventured to approach him. Being alone, I entered the 
garden to look at him, and, not expecting any mischief, I 
was much astonished by the suddenness of his attack, and 
had to beat a retreat in double quick time to save my 
clothes and, probabty, my skin from being torn off. He 
fed freely upon thin worm-like strips of flesh (raw beef), 
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