MYitJiEcoPHAGiD.-E. MAi\LMALIA. DAsvriDiE. 149 
The female brings forth a single cub at a birth. For 
of the neck in particular demonstrating its strength 
some months the young preserves a pale-yellow colour, 
in the cervical region. The fur, which is very scanty. 
and is caiTied about on the back of its parent until it 
exhibits a greyish-brown colour generally. The per- 
is able to shift for itself. 
manent teeth of the adult, twenty in number, have a 
THE AAKD-VAKK ( Orycteropus Capensis) or Ground- 
simple form and structure, being made up of rootless 
HOG, differs from the foregoing in several important 
cjdinders, those in front displaying a slightly flattened 
particulars. Some of these we have already described 
aspect at the sides. The Aard-vark is a very common 
in our introductory observations ; but we have further 
animal throughout the soTithernmost parts of Africa. It 
to observe regarding the feet, that they are compara- 
is rather larger than the common badger, attaining a 
tively shorter and stouter than obtains in the true 
length of upwards of four feet. Its habits are noc- 
ant-eaters, the anterior pair being tetradactjdous, and 
turnal, and it constructs large subterraneous burrows 
the posterior pentadactylous. A very distinctive char- 
with extrordinary rapidity. It appears to live entirely 
acter is seen in the head, which is furnished with large 
upon ants, and for this purpose the tongue is largely 
pointed ears ; while the tail, being of moderate length. 
developed, and ai-med with a glutinous secretion. 
not so long as the body, is very thick, rounded at the 
This organ, however is not so long as in the true ant- 
root, and densely clothed with hair (fig. 50). Alto- 
eaters, wliile it is at the same time more flattened and 
gether it is a stout, heavy animal, the large bones 
Fig 
attenuated. The Aard-vark invariably fixes his retreat 
. 50. 
The Aard-vark or Groiuul-liog (Orycteropus Capensis;. 
near to some large ants’ nests, which he ventures onl}' to 
by whole scores at a time. If uninterrupted he con- 
attack after dark. He is a timid creature, and does not 
tinues this process till he has satisfied liis appetite; but 
move i’ar from his burrow ; and when attacked, should 
on the slightest alarm he makes a precipitate retreat. 
he succeed in gaining access to his abode, it is ne.xt to 
and seeks security at the bottom of his subterranean 
impossible to get him out ; for it is said he can burrow 
dwelling. Hence it is that these animals are seldom 
faster than his enemies can dig. According to those 
seen, even in those parts of the country in which they 
who have witnessed its method of procuring food, the 
are most numerous. Like other nocturnal animals, 
Aard-vark, having approached an ant-hill, forthwith 
passing the greater part of their lives in sleeping and 
proceeds to scratch a small part of it, just sufficient to 
eating, they become exceedingly fat, and their flesli is 
allow of the introduction of its long, narrow snout. 
considered to be wholesome and palatable food. The 
These ant-hills, it must be remembered, are sometimes 
hind quarters particularly, when cut into hams and 
three or four feet in height, and contain myriads of 
insect inhabitants — strongly ensconced in fancied 
dried, are held in great esteem.” 
security complete ! “ Here,” observes Mr. Ogilby, 
Family HI.— DASYPIDHU. 
“after having previously ascertained that there is no 
danger of interruption, he lies down, and inserting his 
Under this title are brought together an interesting 
long slender tongue into the breach, entraps the ants. 
little group of animals familiarly known as the Anna- 
which fly to defend their dwellings upon the first alarm. 
dillos. We treat of them in tliis place because they 
and, mounting upon the tongue of the Aard-vark, get 
represent a type of structure intermediate between the 
entangled in the glutinous saliva, and are swallowed 
ant-eaters and the family we have next to consider — 
