. A general history of quadrupeds : the figures engraved on wood . it fecures its hold inclimbing trees by twifting it round the branches. Both thefe animals have four ftrong claws on the forefeet, and five on the hind. The Lesser Ant-eater has a fharp-pointed nofe,inclining a little downward: Its ears are fmall, and hidin the fur : It has two ftrong hooked claws on the forefeet, the outward one being much the largeft; and fouron the hind feet: Its fur is long, foft, and filky,—of ayellowifh-brown colour : Its length, from nofe to tail, isfeven inches and a half; tail above eight, thick at the
. A general history of quadrupeds : the figures engraved on wood . it fecures its hold inclimbing trees by twifting it round the branches. Both thefe animals have four ftrong claws on the forefeet, and five on the hind. The Lesser Ant-eater has a fharp-pointed nofe,inclining a little downward: Its ears are fmall, and hidin the fur : It has two ftrong hooked claws on the forefeet, the outward one being much the largeft; and fouron the hind feet: Its fur is long, foft, and filky,—of ayellowifh-brown colour : Its length, from nofe to tail, isfeven inches and a half; tail above eight, thick at thebafe, and taper to the end.—It inhabits Guiana; cUmbstrees in queft of a fpecies of ants which build their neftsamong the branches. Animals of this kind are found in Ceylon and the Cape of Good Hope. Kolben defcribes the latter as having long heads and tongues j that they feed on ants;and are fo ftrong, that if they faften their claws in theground, they cannot eafily be pulled away. It is cal-led in Ceylon the la/goi, or Ant-Bear. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 497. THE GREAT MANIS.[Mafiis PentadaBylu) Lin.—Le Pafigolwy EufF.) This lingular animal is defended by a coat of mail,which protects it from tlie attacks of the mofl powerfulanimals. All the upper parts of its body are clofely co-vered with fcales of different fizes, which it can ere£l atpleafure, oppofing to its adverfary a formidable row ofoffenfive weapons. The Tiger, the Panther, or the Leo-pard in vain attempt to force it. The moment it per-ceives the approach of an enemy, it rolls itfelf up like aHedge-hog, and by that means fecures all the weakerparts of its body. It is a native of the Indian ifles, and is llkewife fald tobe found in Guinea. It is flow in its motions ; grows to the length of eightfeet, including its tail, which is four. Its flefh is much efleemed for its dehcaCy, but it isdifficult to procure, as the animal avoids mankind, andlives in obfcure retreats, in woods, and marfliy places, li 498 HISTORY O
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