122 RODENTIA. 



How does it differ from the Long-tailed species? "What more is said of it? 

 What is the name of the Third Family ? How does Cuvier arrange it ? 

 Has it teeth? What is the chief distinction of the Armadillos? Describe 

 them. What is the origin of the name? What is said of the tail? How 

 doee the number of the teeth vary ? How do they resemble those of the 

 Dolphin? What further is said of these animals? Where is the Peba 

 found? How long is it? On what account is it hunted? What is said of 

 animals of this species in the Zoological Gardens of England ? What dis- 

 tinguishes the Mataco from all others of the genus ? What is said of the 

 toes and claws of the Great Armadillo? What is its size? How is it 

 separated from the other species ? What is reported by the collectors of the 

 Jesuits' bark ? Give some account of the Chlamyphorus ? What does Dr. 

 Harlan remark ? What is its size ? 



What is the Fourth Family ? What is said of the size and proportions of 

 these animals ? What of their fossil remains ? How many species does 

 Prof. Owen name ? How has the structure of this animal been made out ? 

 What suggestion has been made respecting it ? To what animals were they 

 most nearly allied ? What is said of their size ? What of its fore feet and 

 tail ? For what was it adapted ? Give the quotation from Dr. Buckland. 

 Define the term Megalonyx. Why was this name given ? State Jefferson's 

 views of this animal. What did Cuvier show ? Who arranged it as a dis- 

 tinct genus ? What is the import of the term Glossotherium ? Upon what 

 was this genus based ? How did Prof. Owen determine their relation to Ant- 

 Eaters ? Explain the term Mylodon. What place does Prof. Owen assign it ? 

 What is said of its size ? Define the term Scelidotherium. To what does 

 it relate? 



What is said of the MEGATHERIUM on the chart ? Give its dimensions and 

 trace it from its position among the Sloth Family, BRADYPIDAE, through all 

 its grades. Trace the Armadillo in the same way. 



SECTION XIX. 

 SIXTH ORDER. RODENTIA. (Lat. rodo, to gnaw.) 



RODENTS or GNAWERS. The GLIRES of Linnaeus. 

 The animals of this order may be at once known by their hav- 

 ing, for the most part, two incisors or front teeth in each jaw, 

 remote from the back teeth or grinders; (the Hare family have 

 two, four, and sometimes six in the upper jaw.) There are no 

 canine teeth, but a vacant space appears between the front and 

 back teeth. The greatest number of cheek teeth is twenty-two. 

 The incisors have no roots, but are deeply inserted in their sock- 

 ets. The enamel of the front side being more durable than the 

 other bony matter of the teeth, always preserves their chisel- 

 like edge. The jaws are so articulated that the lower jaw, (be- 

 sides opening and shutting.) simply moves backwards and for- 

 wards, or horizontally ; so that the front teeth serve to file down, 

 or reduce to fine particles, the hard substances which are brought 



