MEGATHERIUM. 113 



The result of his researches, as recorded in the Ossemens 

 Fossiles, has been to show that all fossil quadrupeds, how- 

 ever differing in generic or specific details, are uniformly 

 constructed on the sanne general plan, and systematic basis 

 of organization as living species : and that throughout the 

 various adaptations of a common type to peculiar functions, 

 under different conditions of the earth, there prevails such 

 universal conformity of design, that we cannot rise from 

 the perusal of these inestimable volumes, without a strong 

 conviction of the agency of one vast and mighty Intelli- 

 gence, ever directing the entire fabric, both of past and pre- 

 sent systems of creation. 



Nothing can exceed the accuracy of the severe and logi- 

 cal demonstrations, that fill these volumes with proofs of 

 wise design, in the constant relation of the parts of animals 

 to one another, and to the general functions of the whole 

 body. Nothing can surpass the perfection of his reasoning, 

 in pointing out the beautiful contrivances, which are provided 

 in almost endless variety, to fit every living creature to its 

 own peculiar state and mode of life. His illustration of the 

 curious conditions, and concurrent compensations that are 

 found in the living Elephants, apply equally to the extinct 

 fossil species of the same genus ; and similar exemphfica- 

 tions may be extended fi'om the living to the extinct species 

 of other genera, e. g. Rhinoceros, Hippopotamus, Horse, 

 Ox, Deer, Tiger, Hytena, Wolf, &c., that arc usually asso- 

 ciated with the Elephant in the fossil state. 



The animal I shall select for my present purpose is that 

 most extraordinary fossil creature, the jMegatherium, (see 

 PL 5,) an animal, in some parts of its organization, nearlv 

 allied to the Sloth, and, like the Sloth, presenting an ap- 

 parent monstrosity of external form, accompanied by many 

 strange pecuUarities of internal structure, which have hitherto 

 been but little understood. 



The Sloths have afforded a remarkable exception to the 

 conclusions which naturalists have usually drawn, from their 



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