A Remarkable Ground Sloth 1 7 



a good protective covering but is now very brittle. There is no trace of a woolly under- 

 coat, as in the three-toed sloth. Whether it was uniform in length and distribution 

 there is no means of knowing. 



The claws are somewhat darker in color and, as the X-ray shows, are much 

 larger than the bony core. They were inserted beneath the bony hood of the ungual. 



MEASUREMENTS OF CLAWS 



Digit II III IV 



Horn sheath of claw Y.P.M. 13198 96 125 88.5 



Ungual phalanx without claw Digit III 



Rancho la Brea Extremes of four Mean 



Greatest length, posterior end of posterior process to tip of 



claw process 158.4-165.8 161.8 



RESTORATION 



(PI. IX) 



I have attempted a tentative restoration modeled in plasticene, one-fourth linear 

 dimensions, adhering to the posture of the mounted skeleton, except for two minor 

 details. The tail has been straightened out and the hands pronated somewhat more, so 

 that they rest fairly upon the knuckles. These adjustments could not be made in the 

 mounted skeleton, as the shrunken tissues prevented. The posture is depressed behind 

 somewhat more, I imagine, than in the normal walking gait. Otherwise I have fol- 

 lowed the indicated morphology as accurately as I could. 



The effect is somewhat weird, as the pictures show, with the extremely broad and 

 powerful rear portion and the curious feet. One is impressed with the general utility 

 of the fore limbs, not only in pulling down the branches of low trees and shrubbery but 

 for digging and defense, since the claws, both front and rear, would be cruel weapons. 



COPROLITE AND INFERRED FEEDING HABITS 



This interesting relic has been analyzed by Prof. Arthur J. Eames, whose prelimi- 

 nary report, to be followed later by a more detailed statement, is as follows : 



REPORT ON PLANT REMAINS IN SLOTH FOOD BALL 



The food ball consists of densely packed woody fragments of plants. The remains of small 

 twie-s constitute the bulk of the mass. With these stem bits are found frequent pieces of root. 



