and slender, and the mouth is but just large enough to admit its tongue, which is cylindrical, and frequently two feet in length, and which lies folded double within. The tail is of an enormous size, covered with long black hair, somewhat like that of a horse with this extraordinary member, when asleep (which is generally in the day-time,) or during a hard shower of rain, the animal covers itself in the manner of a Squirrel; at other times he trails it along, and sweeps the ground.*

This animal is a very bad walker, always resting on the heel of its awkward long feet, but it is able to climb with great ease. Though destitute of teeth, and generally inclined to shun contention, when it is attacked, and its passions become roused, it is a fierce and dangerous adversary. If it can once get its enemy within the grasp of its forepaws, it fixes the claws into their sides, and both fall together; and, as it frequently happens, both perish, for such is the obstinate perseverance of the Ant-eater, that it will not extricate itself even from a dead adversary. Such is its strength, that even the Panthers of America are often unequal to it in combat.t

His food consists of Ants, which he takes in the following manner:-when he comes to an Ant-hill, he scratches it up with his long claws, and then unfolds his slender tongue, which is about twenty inches long, and most exactly resembling a worm; this, being covered over with a clammy matter or saliva, the Ants get upon it in great numbers, and

*Stedman, † Penn: Quad. ii. 508. Gumilla Orenoque, iii. 132.

by d awing it into his mouth, he swallows thousands of them alive, and renews the operation till no more are to be found. He also climbs trees in quest of Wood-lice and wild-honey; but should he meet with little success in his devastations, he is able to fast for a considerable time without the smallest inconvenience. His motions are in general very slow. He swims over great rivers with sufficient ease; at which time his tail is thrown over his back.

It is said that this species is tameable, and that in a domestic state it will pick up crumbs of bread and small pieces of flesh. It is a native of Brazil and Guiana, and sometimes measures eight or nine feet from the end of the snout to the tip of the tail.* The female brings forth one young at a time, which does not arrive at maturity till it is four years old.

The flesh has a strong and disagreeable flavour, but is frequently eaten by the American Indians.†

THE ARMADILLO TRIBE.‡

IN this genus the animals are destitute both of cutting, and canine teeth; but they have several grinders. They are covered over with a strong crust or shell, which distinguishes them from all other

* Stedman. of some writers.

+ Pennant.

The Iron-pigs, and Shield-hogs

quadrupeds; and they are distinguished from each other by the number of flexible bands of which this is composed.*

They are harmless animals, and live in burrows in the ground. They feed on roots, fruits, and other vegetables, and occasionally on worms or insects, and are all of them natives of South America.

THE THREE-BANDED ARMADILLO.f

The three-banded Armadillo is found in Brasil, and is about twelve inches long, and eight broad, with a tail not more than two inches. The body is almost entirely covered with a shell: the shields on the shoulders and rump consist of five cornered pieces, very regularly arranged, the girdles round the body are composed of square or oblong pieces, having anumber of scales, of a yellowish white colour, on each. All the pieces of this armour are connected by a membrane, like the articulations in the tail of a Lobster, and slide so easily over each other as to afford free motion.§

When the Armadillo is in danger, it rolls up like a Hedge-hog, withdrawing its head under the shell, and leaving nothing but shell in view, except the nose the feet are drawn up under the belly, and the two extremities are united, while the tail

Kerr. i. 108.-Linn. Gmel. i. 54.

+ SYNONYMS.-Dasypus Tricinctus. Linn.-Tatou or Armadillo. Red. exper.-Tatu apara. Marcgrave.-Tatu. Seba.-Apara. Kerr. -Shaw's Gen. Zool. pl. 57.

forms a connecting band which gives great strength to its situation. In this position it somewhat resembles a large ball, flattened on the sides, and thus defended, it continues till the danger is passed; and frequently for a long time after. If it is near a precipice it will sometimes roll itself over, and it is said generally to fall to the bottom unhurt. When the Indians find it folded up, they lay it close to the fire, if such is at hand, the heat of which soon obliges the poor creature to unroll itself and submit to other torture.

These animals root up the earth like the Hog, in search of roots. They live in burrows which they dig in the ground, and which they seldom quit but during the night.*

The Indians hunt the Armadillo with small Dogs trained for the purpose. When the animal is surprised, it generally runs to its hole, or, if that is not near, attempts to make a new one, which it does with great expedition, having strong claws on its fore-feet, with which it adheres so firmly to the ground, that if it should be caught by the tail while making its way into the earth, its resistance is so great, that it will sometimes leave it in the hands of its pursuers. To avoid this, the hunter has recourse to artifice; and, by tickling it with a stick it gives up its hold, and suffers itself to be taken alive.t

They breed three or four times in the year, and

* Church. + Penn. Quad. ii. 498. Bewick's Quadrupeds. The preceeding observations apply to nearly all the species.

bring forth several young at a birth. When fat, they are considered as excellent food.

THE RHINOCEROS TRIBE.*

We now come so a race of animals of a huge size and bulk, inhabitants only of the tropical climates, dull and sluggish in their manners, and in their disposition' sufficiently peaceable, except when attacked or provoked. They have, seated on the nose, a solid, conical horn, not fixed in the bone, which is never shed, but remains, unless broken off by accident, during life.t

THE SINGLE-HORNED RHINOCEROS.

The Single-horned Rhinoceros is not exceeded in size by any land animal except the Elephant, and in strength and power it gives place to none. Its length is usually about twelve feet, and this is also nearly the girth of its body.

Its nose is armed with a formidable weapon, a hard and very solid horn, sometimes above three feet in length, and eighteen inches in circumference at the base, with which it is able to defend

*This name is derived from pis pivos nose, and xɛpas a horn. + Linn. Gmel. i. 59.

SYNONYMS.-Rhinoceros Unicornis. Linn.-Rhinoceros. Buffon. Parsons, &c.Shaw's Gen. Zool. pl. 60.—Bew. Quad, 156.