21 



4. The Insectivora are not only a more limited Order 

 in point of numerical variety of species, but extremely 

 impatient of confinement. Their repi'esentation in the 

 collection has consequently been always among the feeblest 

 parts of it. 



5. The Cheiroptera have not been entirely neglected, 

 although their nocturnal habits and the nature of their 

 food render their conservation extremely difficult. The 

 examples of the frugivorous Pteropus, better known by its 

 vernacular name of " Flying Fox," will be remembered by 

 every one. 



6. Of the Edentulous Bruta, the Society, in addition 

 to the Great Anteater, in the course of the last year ob- 

 tained their first living specimen of Cyclothurus, a most 

 remarkable little animal, for which they were indebted to 

 the care and liberality of Mr. Webb, who observed its 

 habits in the foi'ests of Brazil, and brought it with him on 

 his return from that country. 



The Dasypodid^, or Armadillos, have been always 

 represented in the collection in sufficient number, and not 

 unfrequently by some of the i-arest species. 



The Bradypodid^, or Sloths, are so similar in their 

 habits, and the external characters of the species present 

 so few tangible distinctions, that the fine example of 

 Bradtqms didactylus, which has now lived for so many 

 years in the Society's possession, affords a perfect illustra- 

 tion of this singular family, peculiar to South America, 

 and of especial interest, on account of its affinity to some 

 of the most surprising members of the Palseozoic Fauna 

 of that continent. 



