The tamandua obtains its name from the ants upon which it feeds. But it
does not eat every kind of ant, but only those which the Guaranies call
_cupis_, and their eggs. When these are not to be had, it takes up with
little worms, winged insects, honey, and meat cut into very small
particles. In bulk it is equal to a very large pig, but superior in
length and height. Its head does not correspond to the size of its body.
A very small fissure, which is seen in its long snout, serves it for a
mouth, under which is concealed a blackish, smooth tongue, slenderer
than the goose's quill I am writing with, but twenty-five inches long.
This he dips into a hill of ants, scraped together with his nails, and
when covered with those insects, or their little eggs, draws back again
into his mouth, and swallows them instantly. This animal has small black
eyes, middle-sized, and almost round ears, and a blackish skin,
interspersed here and there with white, and for the most part hairy.
From the extremity of the fore-feet project four curved nails, of which
the two middle are very strong, and three inches in length; they are
quite necessary arms to the tamandua, for with them he digs up, and
removes the turf under which the ants' nests lie. The hind feet have
five fingers, furnished with as many nails, and in walking make the same
footsteps as a boy. The tail, which is covered with stiff bristles,
longer than the hairs in a horse's mane, is as long as his whole body,
and so wide that, bent towards the neck, with the hairs expanded on each
side like a fan, or fly-flap, it covers his whole body when he sleeps,
and defends him not only against cold, but even against rain. This beast
is not able to keep running for any length of time, and may be easily
caught by a person on horseback, or even on foot. Its flesh is eaten by
the Indians, but not reckoned a dainty. When young it is very soon tamed
in the colonies of the Indians, but seldom brought up by them, because
it must be chiefly fed upon ants, which are very troublesome to procure.