172 Fossil Bones of the Megalonyx. 



to prevent the two bones from being essentially distinct. In 

 the Megatherium found in Georgia they form but one, without 

 a trace of suture or any other indication of having been ever 

 separated at either extremity. 



So little is known with certainty of the hind-foot, that we 

 cannot safely hazard any remarks upon it. On the whole, it 

 appears probable to me, that in the posterior extremity the 

 Megalonyx most resembled the Megatherium ; except, perhaps, 

 in the foot. In the latter this member was furnished with only 

 one apparent toe, armed with an enormous claw. The rudi- 

 ments of others were concealed beneath the skin. 



In short, we find united in the Megalonyx, a head like that 

 of the Sloth, (ai) a scapula like the Great Ant-eater's, the hume- 

 rus of the Orycteropus, the fore-arm of the Ant-eaters, the feet 

 of an Armadillo, with a resemblance also to those of the Mega- 

 therium; while, in the hinder extremities, it presented a struc- 

 ture peculiar to itself. In size it far exceeded any species of 

 the same order now existing. The humerus found at Big- 

 Bone Lick, when compared with the largest Bison's, which 

 are common at that spot, indicated a much larger animal. It 

 must have been equal to die largest ox, though greatly inferior 

 to the ponderous bulk of the Megatherium. 



It is evident, therefore, from this comparison, that the Mega- 

 lonyx formed one of a tribe of animals, in which are comprised 

 several distinct genera, with all of which it had many important 

 characteristics in common, but differed from each and all in so 

 many particulars, as to deserve, on every account, to consti- 

 tute an independent genus. This was foreseen by Jefferson 

 when he proposed for it the name it still bears : and though 

 some naturalists have been disposed to consider it a species of 

 Bradyjpus, and others have declared it the same with the Mega- 

 therium,* yet it can no longer, in the present state of zoology, 

 be included even in the same genus, without giving an unphi- 



* Pander et d' Alton. Das Riese Faulthier. 



