EDENTATA. 121 



Glossotherium, (Gr. ylwucra, gldssa, a tongue ; Or^lov, tlierion, 

 a wild beast.) 



Tiiis genus is based &quot; on a fragment of a cranium found in Mr. 

 Damin s collection, discovered in the bed of the same river, in 

 Banda Oriental, with the skull of the Toxodon.&quot; Reasoning 

 from this fragment, Professor Owen found decisive evidence that 

 the cranium was that of an extinct Edentate, and related to the 

 genera Myrmecopliaga and Manis. 



Mylodon, (Gr. ^uAr], mul t a grinding mill; odovs, odous, a 

 tooth.) 



This fossil Edentate, according to Professor Owen, &quot;holds an 

 intermediate place between the Ai and the Great Armadillo.&quot; It 

 must have had the size and proportions of a Rhinoceros, but with 

 the limbs still more massive. So great was probably its muscular 

 strength, it could overthrow trees ; and as it was a leaf-eater, and 

 too bulky and ponderous for climbing, it could thus feast at its 

 ease, on the abundant foliage. 



Scelidotherium, (Gr. axeA^, skelis, a haunch, or thigh ; tlierion, 

 a wild beast.) 



This large extinct Edentate was allied to the Megatherium, and 

 the Orycteropus, Cape Ant- Eater. 



What is the fifth Order of the MAMMALS ? Why did Cuvier give this 

 name to the animals of this order ? Is it strictly applicable to all the genera? 

 To which is it applicable ? Name the first family. What is its meaning ? 

 Give the other name of this family and its significations. How many genera 

 does it include ? What are the leading characters and habits of the Sloth 

 or Ai? What gives them a firm hold on the branches of trees ? Do they 

 ever leave them ? On what part do they rest ? What is said of their sleep 

 during captivity ? What is said of the habits of the Unau and other tropical 

 Sloths? Where are they all found? Give the name of the second family. 

 What is its derivation ? How are the ANT-EATERS distinguished ? What 

 peculiarly separates them from Pangolins ? What is said of their jaws, 

 phalanges (small bones of the fingers and toes,) and toes? Are the toes 

 capable of separate motion ? How do they walk ? Describe the tongue 

 and its uses. What is said of the other parts of the animal? How many 

 species of the ANT-EATERS PROPER are named? What is said of the size of 

 the animal? How many toes has it? Why is it sometimes called Ant- 

 Bear? Why Jubata or crested? What more is said of it? What is said 

 of the size of the Tamandua ? In what respect does it differ from the Great- 

 Ant-Eater ? How is the Little or Two- Toed Ant- Eater distinguished, and in 

 what particular respect or feature does it differ from the other two spe 

 cies? Where is the Aard-Vark or Earth-Hog found? What animals does 

 it resemble ? What is its size ? Does its tongue differ from that of the A. 

 E. Proper? Why was the name Pangolin given to the Scaly Ant-Eaters? 

 To what region is it confined? How does it resemble the Hairy Ant-Eaters, 

 and how differ from them ? For what are these animals particularly remark 

 able ? Where is the Long-tailed species found ? What is said of the scales ? 

 Where is the Short-tailed species found? What names has it received? 



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