356 PICTURESQUE SKETCHES 



The knowledge that we possess of the Toxodon is 

 derived entirely from a consideration of some of the 

 bones of the head. We have next to deduce the 

 habits and instincts of another extinct genus, of 

 which nothing is known but a few bones of the trunk 

 and the extremities, without a fragment of a tooth 

 or of the skull to serve as a guide in the investi- 

 gation. It is the triumph of comparative anatomy 

 that such an investigation is possible; and few things 

 in scientific induction are more beautiful than the 

 nature of the arguments by which, in these cases, the 

 results of the investigation of each bone and frag- 

 ment of a bone are shewn to bear upon and ex- 

 plain one another. 



The animal I have now to describe is called Ma- 

 crauchenia,* from the great length and magnitude of 

 its neck, which was very nearly as long as that of 

 the giraffe. Its analogies have been beautifully and 

 admirably worked out by Professor Owen, and he 

 has referred it with great certainty and confidence to 

 the order Pachydermata. It belongs also to that 

 group (containing the rhinoceros and palaeotherium) 

 of which the various species are not provided with a 

 proboscis, and have only three toes on the fore-foot. 

 The fore and hind feet of the Macrauchenia were of 

 equal size. The body was nearly as large and mas- 

 sive as that of the rhinoceros, and the length of the 

 legs very much greater. The long neck was not car- 

 ried gracefully as in the giraffe, but in a stiff and 

 upright position like that of the llama ; and the whole 

 appearance of the animal must have been heavy, 

 awkward, and ungainly. It is interesting to find 



* MaK|00 (makros), long ; av^rjv (auclien\ the neck. 



