acked from behind, it turns round with the rapidity of
lightning; and when assailed from several quarters at once, it throws
itself on its back, fighting desperately with both its fore-legs, and
uttering angry growls of defiance. So thick is its hide, that no animal
has been found with teeth capable of piercing it; and even when the
jaguar, pressed by hunger, dares to assail it, the monarch of the
American forest is often driven off, or left weltering in its blood from
the wounds inflicted by the formidable claws of the ant-bear.

When attacking an ant-castle, the tamanoir strikes a hole in the wall of
clay with his powerful, crooked claws. The warrior-ants then issue out
by thousands to resent the insult, while the labourers retire to the
inmost recesses. The soldiers swarm on every part of their assailant,
but their sharp mandibles are unable to pierce its thick skin. The bear
then putting forth its long tongue, which is lubricated from two large
glands situated below its root, the insects remain sticking in the
glutinous liquid. When a sufficient supply has been thus obtained, it
draws back its tongue within its mouth, and swallows the whole army at a
gulp.

MYRMECOPHAGA TAMANDUA.

While the vast citadels of the white ant formed on the ground are
attacked by the great ant-eater, the too great increase of the arborial
termites is kept under by three smaller species, formed to live among
the branches of the trees.

The tamandua is seen climbing the loftiest monarchs of the forest in
search of its insect prey. It is about the size of a cat. Though its
head is elongated, it is considerably less so than that of the ant-bear;
while its hair is short and silky, resembling fine wool. The feet are
formed in the same manner as those of the larger animal, but, to enable
it the better to climb among the branches, it possesses a prehensile
tail.

Though it cannot be said to possess a sweet tooth--as its mouth is as
destitute of teeth as that of the tamanoir--yet it does not confine its
food to the termites alone, but seeks the nests of the stingless bees,
which form their hives among the loftiest branches of the forest, and
robs them of their honeyed treasures.

LITTLE ANT-EATER.

There is another curious little ant-eater, about the size of a
squirrel,--which animal it resembles very much in its habits, and
somewhat in its appearance. It possesses a prehensile tail, like that
of the ateles and other American mon