Restoration of the sabre-tooth tiger (Smilodon califomicus) by Erwin Christruan. 

 ground sloth (Mylodon) is nearly submerged in the asphalt pool 



himself; and add if he pleases the scanty vegetation of a dry country around 

 the margins of the asphalt spring. 



Two ground sloths (Mylodon), great heavy, thick-haired, clumsy, clawed 

 beasts distantly related to the living tree sloths, but as big as a grizzly bear, 

 have been caught in the asphalt. In spite of their struggles indicated in the 

 disturbed and broken surface of the pool, they have sunk down until only 

 the head and fore limb of one, and the head of the other, appear above the 

 black asphalt. 



A sabre-tooth tiger (Smilodon) one of the most powerful and dan- 

 gerous of the extinct beasts of prey has been attracted by the struggles 

 of the hapless ground sloths, and hastened to the spot to kill and 

 devour them. But in his eagerness, he too has been trapped and is now 

 vainly trying to extricate his feet, already beginning to sink below the 

 surface. 



Meanwhile, a fourth animal, the great extinct wolf (Cants dims) has 

 come up. More wary, or as yet more fortunate, he has come over the solid 

 hardened asphalt, and avoided the treacherous surface of the pool. He sees 

 his ancient and dreaded enemy the sabre-tooth and the powerful and bulky 

 ground sloths in difficulties where neither teeth nor claws will avail against 

 his attack. He dare not yet spring in to attack them but leaps about on 

 the margin of the pool in high excitement, barking out his real opinions in 

 regard to sabre-tooth tigers, which under ordinary circumstances he would 

 reserve to a safer margin of distance. The Smilodon, distracted for a mo- 

 ment from his desperate attempts to free his feet from the entangling mass, 



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