124 



MAMMALIA. 



There have been discovered in America the fossil skeletons of two animals belonging to the order 

 Edentata [and lately another not yet named], of enormous dimensions : the first of tliem, the Mega- 

 therium has a head verv similar to that of a Sloth, but without canines, and approximating in the rest 

 of its skeleton partly to the Sloths, and partly to the Ant-eaters, [most of all, however, to the minute 

 Chlamyphorus, having even been covered by a similar massive buckler] . It is twelve feet long, and 

 six or seven hio-h. The other, the Megalonyx, is rather less : its toes are the only parts that are well 

 known, and they strongly resemble those of the other. 



Tlie second tribe, comprehending 



The Ordinary Edentata, — 

 Have the muzzle pointed. They have still molar teeth, and are divisible into two genera. 



The Armadillos {Dasypvs, Lin.) — 

 Ai-e very remarkable among the Mammalia, for the scaly and hard [bony] shell, composed of pave- 

 ment-like compartments, which covers their head and body, and often the tail. This substance forms 

 a shield upon their forehead, another larger and more convex on the shoulders, a third on the crupper 



similar to the preceding, and between the two 

 -^ r >.. latter several parallel and moveable bands, 



which allow the body to bend. The tail is 

 sometimes furnished with successive rings; and 

 at others, with varied tubercles, like the legs. 

 These animals have [generally] large ears, and 

 also great claws, either five or four anteriorly, 

 and always five to their hind-feet ; a some- 

 what pointed muzzle ; cylindrical grinding 

 teeth separated from each other, to the num- 

 ber of seven or eight on each side of both 

 jaws, and without enamel on the inside; a 

 soft tongue, but little extensible ; and there 

 are a few scattered hairs between their scales, 

 or on those parts of the body not covered by the shell. They excavate burrows, and subsist partly on 

 vegetables, and partly on insects and carcases : their stomach is simple, and there is no coecum. All 

 of them are indigenous to the warm or at least temperate regions of South America. 



They may be arranged into subgenera, according to the structure of their fore-feet and the number 

 of their teeth. The majority have only four toes anteriorly, of which the medial are the longest. Of 

 tliis number are 



The Cachicames, F. Cuv., — 

 Which have only seven teeth on each side of both jaws ; a pointed muzzle ; and long tail encircled 

 with bony rings. Such are 



The Black Armadillo of Azzara (D. novemcinctus, Lin.), with nine intermediate bands, and sometimes but 

 ei^ht ; also the Mule Armadillo of the same naturalist (Z>. septetncinctus), with a shorter tail than the preceding. 



The Aparas, F. Cuv., — 

 Have toes the same as in the Cachicames, but nine or ten teeth above and below. 



The Apara Armadillo of Azzara {D. tricinctiis, Lm.), with three intennediate bands, and a very short tail plated 

 with regular tuberculated compartments. By enclosing its head and feet within its armour, this species is enabled 

 to roll itself completely into a ball, like certain Onisci. It inhabits Brazil and Paraguay, and is one of those found 

 farthest to the south. 



Other Armadillos, 



The Encouberts, F. Cuv., — 



Have five toes to their fore-feet, of which the three medial are the longest : their tail is in great part 

 covered with quincunx scales, and their teeth are nine or ten in number, above and below. In this 

 subdivision ranges 





Fig. 50.— Peha 



