244 FOSSIL SLOTtf. 



FAMILY. BKUTA. 



Bradypus. Sloth. 



There are but two living species of the sloth tribe, the 

 ai, or bradypus tridactylus; and the unau, or bradypus 

 didactylus. Cuvier describes two fossil species which are 

 nearly allied not only to these species, but also to the 

 myrmecophaga or ant-eater. The following are the two 

 fossil species : 



1. Megalonix. It is the size of an ox, and its bones 

 were first discovered in limestone caves in Virginia ift 

 the year J796. 2. Megatherium. This species is the 

 size of the rhinoceros, and its fossil remains have hither- 

 to been found only in South America. . The first, and 

 most complete skeleton, was sent from Buenos Ayres by 

 the Marquis Loretto, in the year 1789. It was found in 

 digging an alluvial soil, on the banks of the river Luxan, 

 a league south-east of the village of that name, about 

 three leagues W. S. W. of Buenos Ayres. Plate 3d gives 

 a faithful representation of this remarkable skeleton, 

 which is now preserved in the Royal Cabinet of Ma- 

 drid. A second skeleton of the same animal was sent to 

 Madrid from Lima, in the year 1795; and a third was 

 found in Paraguay. Thus it appears, that the remains 

 of this animal exists in the most distant parts of South 

 America. It Is very closely allied to the megalonix, and 

 differs from it principally in size, being much larger. 

 Cnvier is of opinion, that the two species, the megalonix 

 and megatherium, may be placed together, as members 

 qf the same genus, and should be placed between the 

 sloths and ant-eaters, but nearer to the former than to 

 the latter. It is worthy of remark, that the reniains of 

 these animals have not been hitherto found in any pther 



