Sentence:  Data on the <WSD>former</WSD> are scanty , but there can be little doubt that the latter is sometimes born at a length greater than that of any of the others , thereby lending support to the belief that the anaconda does , indeed , attain the greatest length . 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several); I prefer the former version to the latter one"