famous for the facility with which they
attract animals towards them. Bates and Wallace also mention having
seen, on several occasions, jaguars perfectly tame, roaming in and out
of the huts, as their smaller feline relatives would have done.

ANT-EATERS.

Within the recesses of the primeval forest, near the borders of a river
or lake, a large mass of what looks, at a little distance, like a
collection of some long, coarse, curled, fibrous substance, is often
seen by the hunter. The jaguar glances at it askance and passes it
by,--although, when hunger presses him, he may long to obtain the dainty
meal which lies beneath. The huge hairy mass is the tail of the
ant-bear, which serves it as a shelter from the rays of the noonday sun
and from the deluges of the rainy season: spread out over its body, it
is the sole covering it seeks, as it neither burrows, nor takes up its
abode in the hollows of trees nor in artificial caves. With its
elongated toothless head and thin tongue, it seems utterly incapable, at
the first glance, of defending itself, not only against the jaguar or
puma, but, notwithstanding its great size, against even the attacks of
the smallest carnivorous animals of the wilds, as it moves with toilsome
and awkward steps over the ground. It cannot climb the trees; unadapted
for swimming, it dare not seek safety in the water; and incapable of
moving rapidly, it is unable to run from its foes. Its hind-feet,
unlike those of many animals, are valueless for defence; but yet it has
not been left without ample means of protection. Examine its fore-feet,
and on each will be seen two large, powerful, trenchant claws. With
these, aided by its muscular power, and thick hide covered with long
coarse hair, it boldly defies the attacks of the fiercest creatures.

Of a peaceable disposition, it makes its solitary way through the
forest; but woe betide the hunter's dogs, or any other animals, which
venture to assail it! With one blow of these sharp weapons it rips up
its assailant, or hugs it in a close embrace, where its own thick skin
resists the teeth of its foe; and, able itself to endure hunger longer
than any other animal, it keeps it thus till starved to death.

Vast numbers of ants and termites swarm in the tropical forests of South
America, of great varieties of form and mode of life and occupation.
Their business in the economy of nature is chiefly the consumption of
decayed vegetable matter, which woul