EDENTATA. 121 



Glossotlieriuni) (Gr. ylMvaa, gldssa y a tongue ; Or^lov, therion, 

 a wild beast.) 



Tliis genus is based " on a fragment of a cranium found in Mr. 

 Damin's collection, discovered in the bed of the sarne river, in 

 Banda Oriental, with the skull of the Toxodon." Reasoning 

 from this fragment, Professor Owen found decisive evidence that 

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

 genera Myrmecophaga and Manis. 



Mylodon, (Gr. /uvArj, mute, a grinding mill; odoi>s, odous, a 

 tooth.) 



This fossil Edentate, according to Professor Owen, "holds an 

 intermediate place between the Ai and the Great Armadillo." 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. oxehls, 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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