In size, habits, and the form of many parts of its body, it bears a striking resemblance to its South American cousin the "tamanoir" (_Myrmecophaga jubata_), which of late years has become so famous as almost to usurp the title of "ant-eater." But the "aard-vark" is just as good an ant-eater as he,-- can "crack" as thick-walled a house, can rake up and devour as many termites as any "ant-bear" in the length and breadth of the Amazon Valley.

He has got, moreover, as "tall" a tail as the tamanoir, very nearly as long a snout, a mouth equally small, and a tongue as extensive and extensile.

In claws he can compare with his American cousin any day, and can walk just as awkwardly upon the sides of his fore-paws with "toes turned in." Why, then, may I ask, do we hear so much talk of the "tamanoir," while not a word is said of the "aard-vark ?" Every museum and menagerie is bragging about having a specimen of the former, while not one cares to acknowledge their possession of the latter! Why this envious distinction?
I say it's all Barnum.

It's because the "aard-vark" is a Dutchman--a Cape boor--and the boors have been much bullied of late.

That's the reason why zoologists and showmen have treated my thick-tailed boy so shabbily.