268 CLASS MAMMALIA. 



The Bradypodes have a tolerably elongated body, covered 

 with dry and stiff hairs, like hay, and which circumstance 

 gives them an external appearance of bulk which is, how- 

 ever, altogether deceitful, as they are exceedingly lean. 

 Their extremities are also very slender, and terminated by 

 nails very strong and extremely arched. 



These animals have but two sorts of teeth, canines and 

 molars. The place of the incisors is altogether vacant. 

 The canines are altogether four in number ; one on each 

 side in each jaw. They are in general more elevated than 

 the molars, and their form is pyramidal. The molars, 

 which are conical in the young individuals, are cylindrical, 

 and have a hollow coronal in adults. They have a case of 

 enamel, which encloses a bony substance, formed of trans- 

 verse laminae, which laminae, though piled upon each other, 

 still exhibit distinct marks of separation. There are four 

 of these molars on each side in the upper jaw, and three 

 only in the lower. The head is slightly rounded, and the 

 muzzle short. The eyes are tolerably distant from each 

 other, and directed forwards; the nostrils a little separated, 

 and placed at the extremity of the muzzle. 



The anterior extremities are longer than the posterior, 

 especially in the Ai, where they are nearly double the 

 length, while in the Unau they are little more than one- 

 sixth of the length of the fore legs. The toes are covered 

 by the skin as far as the root of the claws. These claws 

 are strong, very long, compressed, arched, and hollowed 

 channel-wise within. They are parallel to each other, and 

 fastened closely to their basis, as well as the phalanges of 

 the toes, the number of which varies according to the spe- 

 cies. There are always three upon the hind feet, and some- 

 times three, and occasionally but two, on the fore feet. 



They have two pectoral mammae. 



In one species there is no tail. In another its place is 

 supplied by a slightly projecting tubercle. 



