THE EDENTATA, OK ANIMALS POOR IN TEETH. 123 



If, accordingly, we require a very considerable 

 length of time one certainly extending back into 

 the Tertiary for bringing the Armadillo and Gir- 

 dled-mouse back to one family, we shall require at 

 least as long a period for the development of the 

 branch of Glyptodons from the common stock. 

 Almost precisely the same latitudes in South 

 America where the existing Girdled-animals find a 

 home, gave shelter during the Diluvial period to 

 the various species of the gigantic Glyptodons. 

 Buenos Ayres possesses the richest collection of 

 these very perfect fossils. They have been 

 admirably described by Professor Burmeister, 1 for- 

 merly of Halle, who some thirty years ago went 

 to reside in South America ; and the descriptions 

 could be made as complete as if he had been 

 describing the skeletons of some common existing 

 animal. 



Glyptodon davipes measures 2-80 m. from the 

 snout to the end of the tail. Of these 1-50 go to 

 the huge shield which covers its back and sides, 

 forming one piece. The skull shows an unmis- 

 takable resemblance to that of the Sloths, not 

 only as regards dentition, but also in the pecu- 



1 Burmeister, Annales del Museo ptiblico de Buenos Aires. 

 1864. 



