236 Description of the Chlamyphorus truncatus. 



determines that of the condyle ; the form of the scapula, 

 that of the nails ; just as the equation of a curve indicates 

 all its properties ; as in taking each property separately, 

 for the basis of a particular equation, we might arrive, not 

 only at the ordinary equation, but at all the other properties . 

 so the nail, the scapula, the maxillary condyle, the femur, and 

 and all the other bones, taken separately, would indicate each 

 other reciprocally ; and beginning with either separately, we 

 might, according to the rational laws of the organic economy, 

 construct the whole animal." 



It is thus, by a perfect knowledge of the laws of co-exis- 

 tence, to which the combinations of animals are subjected, 

 the skull alone of the animal under consideration would have 

 enabled us to determine that it belonged to a new, and non- 

 descript genus. 



The varied, magnificent, and multiplied collection of natu- 

 ral objects, in the Philadelphia Museum, drawn from every 

 department of nature, displays in the strongest light the won- 

 derful results to be obtained by the talent, industry, perseve- 

 rance, and zeal, of an individual. The venerable octogenarian 

 founder still lives, to contemplate with sentiments of pride and 

 delight the colossal monument which has risen at his com- 

 mand ; which will perpetuate the fame, and hand down the 

 name of Charles Wilson Peale to the latest posterity. 



On the present occasion, as on many others, I have been in- 

 debted to the Philadelphia Museum for the opportunity of 

 making the clearest illustration of the subject of investigation. 

 I have also to congratulate myself in the acquaintance of Mr. 

 William W. Wood, a young but zealous naturalist, whose ta- 

 lents as a faithful delineator of nature, have only to be known, 

 to be duly estimated. 



The order Edentata includes quadrupeds destitute of in- 

 cisor teeth, forming the last order of Cuvier's clawed animals. 

 Although united only by a negative character, there exists 

 some positive relations between them, particularly the large 



