g, pushing and squeezing after the Hippopotamus? It was a fight of
parasols to get near him--it was a joy greater than that of a new gown
to have seen him! What is the reason of this strange preference? Is it
because the public prefer Nature to Art?--or is it because the actors
speak, and the animals do not?

However, the "Star system" is not likely to be so ruinous here as at
most places of entertainment. We need not say that the Zoological Stars
receive no salaries, beyond their board and lodging; and they are not
likely to ruin their managers with salaries like those. They are paid
regularly every day at the usual feeding hour, and we have not heard of
an instance of any animal, no matter how popular he may have been,
having struck for more beans, or refusing to make his appearance unless
he had a double allowance of paunches.

The latest "Star" at this establishment is the Giant Ant-Eater--that is
to say, if you can call him a Star at all, for, with a tail like his, he
is much more like a comet. It is indeed a tail!--so long is it, that you
imagine it must have been originally published in four-and-twenty
numbers, and that they are here all bound up together. And a pretty
thick volume it makes too! DANIEL O'CONNELL'S "tail" must have been a
wisp of straw compared to it. It hangs like a small willow tree--only
instead of being green, it is a dark badger colour, and, in texture,
resembles some of the long brushes we have seen made of Indian grass. It
is as flexible as a party-politician, for it can be turned at will to
any side. What is the use of such a tail it would be difficult to say,
though as far as that goes, you might as well ask what was the use of a
lady's bonnet, for the one is not worn more at the back than the other.
When the Ant-Eater lies down to sleep, he throws this voluminous tail,
like a Scotch plaid, round him, and we have no doubt it keeps him very
warm. So, you see, it is of some use after all; and, for what we know,
as he comes from a very warm climate, the Ant-Eater may use his tail in
the summer to fan himself with. We are told that he is met with in the
plains of the Brazils; but, from his habit of spreading his thick hedge
of a tail all over his body, we should say that he was much oftener
found in the Bush. In fact, it is a complete furs-bush--extending out
nearly to the same length as his body. He is a curious animal, take him
altogether. In shape he reminds you somewhat of a German pig, w