MEG A L ONYX. 5 



1. The original specimens of Jefferson, which, together with a hirge collection of 

 other organic remains, have been deposited by the American Philosophical Society 

 in the cabinet of the Academy of Natural Sciences. These bones of the Merjalonyx 

 Jeffersonii consist of a radius and an ulna; the second, third, and fifth metacarpals ; 

 the second phalanx of the index finger, the first and last of the middle finger, the 

 second and last of the annular finger, and the third of the thumb, all belonging to 

 the left side. They are ochreous in color, unchanged in texture, compact, and 

 heavy ; and they have a polished surface. Several of the specimens, as is frequently 

 the case in cave bones, present au appearance of having been gnawed by some 

 I'odent animal. 



2. The specimens which formed the basis of Dr. Harlan's first memoir on the 

 Megalonyx laqueatus} They were presented to the Academy of Natural Sciences 

 by Mr. J. P. Wetherill, and consist of bones of several individuals, as follows : — 



a. A collection of bones of a young animal, nearly all of them having the epi- 

 physes detached. They are the left scapula imperfect, the left os humeri without 

 epiphyses, the right radius without its distal epiphysis, the proximal two-thirds of 

 the right ulna, the right os calcis, the distal epiphysis of the right os femoris, the 

 left tibia without its distal epiphysis, the distal epiphysis of the right tibia, one 

 lumbar vertebra, four dorsal vertebrae with one exception without epiphyses, frag- 

 ments of three right ribs, fragment of a left rib, and two ungual phalanges of the 

 right hind foot. These were found in Big-bone cave, Tennessee. They are of a 

 yellow color, comparatively light, unchanged in texture, and quite recent in appear- 

 ance. Several of them are remarkable for retaining portions of articular cartilage, 

 periosteum, and tendinous attachment ; and one ungual phalanx has the nail pre- 

 served upon it almost entire. They also present the marks of having been gnawed 

 by some small rodent. These specimens, Mr. Cooper very correctly supposed, 

 belonged to the young animal of Megalonyx Jefersonii.- 



b. A rib of the left side, belonging to an adult animal; hard, compact, and 

 unchanged in texture, and so resembling in appearance the specimens of Jefferson, 

 that I am inclined to believe it belonged to the same skeleton. It was referred by 

 Dr. Harlan to the same individual as the preceding bones, but being an adult 

 specimen this is, of course, not possible. No specified locality is known for it ; but, 

 from the statements of Major Le Conte^ and Mr. Cooper,* in relation to the discovery 

 of the specimens described by Mr. Jefferson, that many others were found at the 

 same time and carried off; this rib may be one of the lost bones. 



c. A left OS humeri of an adult animal from Big-bone lick, Kentucky. The 

 specimen is dark brown in color, hard, compact, and heavy, and is unchanged, except 

 in being infiltrated with oxide of iron. 



3. An ungual phalanx of the right median forefinger, being one of the three 

 bones referred to as having been sent to President Monroe. It, together with a 

 fragment of the lower jaw of Mylodon Harlani, have been kindly loaned to me by 

 the Lj^ceum of Natural History of New York, through one of its most active mem- 



' Jouru. Aciid. Nat. Sei., VI, pt. 1, 26'J. " An. Lye. Nat. Uist., Ill, 167. 



= Sec ante. * An. Lye. Nat. Hist., Ill, 167. 



