EDENTATA. 



157 



THREE-TOED SLOTH 



Tridactylus), and GIANT ARMADILLO 

 (Dasypus Gigas). 



ORDER VI. EDENTATA.* 



A NUMBER of very dissimilar animals are united, by 

 Cuvier, into one order under the above title, some 

 of which seem to have little relation to each other. 

 The Monotremata have been already considered. 

 The characters which distinguish the order, are the 

 absence of incisor teeth, and the developement of the 

 nails into large hoof-like claws, in some species, of 

 enormous size and strength. They are generally 

 slow and sluggish in their movements, ungainly and 



* E, priv. and dens, a tooth. 



