414 



As far as an opinion can be formed from the few parts of the mega- 

 lonix which have been found, there seems to exist, in M. Cuvier's opi- 

 nion, almost an identity of form with the megatherium ; but the size, 

 he observes, is different, the bones of the megatherium being one third 

 larger than that of the megalonix. This difference of size, he thinks, 

 is a real specific difference ; in confirmation of which, he observes, that 

 the sheaths of the claws are more complete and long in the last pha- 

 langes of the megatherium than in those of the megalonix. To these, I 

 think, may be added another difference, which M. Cuvier does not 

 appear to have noticed. In the megalonix he found a tooth resembling 

 the canine tooth of the ai, whilst the megatherium is only supplied with 

 grinders. 



There can therefore, I think, exist no difficulty in agreeing with this 

 celebrated naturalist, that these two animals formed two species of the 

 same genus, belonging to the family of edentata, and requiring to be 

 placed between the sloths and the ant-eaters, but nearer to the former 

 than to the latter *. 



Plate XXII. Fig. 1, represents the complete skeleton of the megathe- 

 rium, as existing in the Royal Museum at Madrid. 



* Ann. du Mus. Cat. 29, p. 387. 



