240 THE GREAT ANT-EATER. 
left, it will roll itself up within its shelly 
covering, by drawing in the head and legs, 
and bringing the tail round them as a band to 
connect them more forcibly together ; and in 
this situation it will roll itself over the edge of 
a precipice and generally fall to the bottom 
unhurt. 
THE GREAT ANT-EATER. 
The animals of this genus live chiefly, as 
their name implies, on ants and similar in- 
sects, for which purpose they are furnished 
with a remarkable tongue, of a round worm- 
like form, covered with a glutinous saliva, and 
frequently two feet in length, which lies folded 
double within the mouth, that is but just large 
enough to contain it. This tongue compen- 
sates for the want of teeth. The head of the 
ant-eater is very long and slender ; the body 
clothed with long shaggy hair; the tail, of 
