22 



ANCESTORS OF MAMMALS 



trunk like an elephant, and must have presented a strange 

 appearance as it wandered along shore. 



Fig. 15.— Skeleton of Brontops. 



In South America to-day is found the sloth, one of the 

 most remarkable of all animals ; a hairy, moplike crea- 

 ture which passes its life clinging to the limbs of trees. 

 This sloth had a remarkable progenitor, a giant in every 

 sense, known as the Megatherium, skeletons or casts of 

 which may be seen in many American museums. 



In appearance the animal resembles the effigy of a kan- 

 garoo standing on its hind legs, doubtless a favorite po- 

 sition, which enabled it to reach the tops of trees and 

 tear them down. Its hind legs were short and of colos- 

 sal dimensions ; its fore legs, long ; its tail, which aided 

 in its support, was also long and powerful. The length 

 of this monster was eighteen feet, and its general appear- 



