Mr, Owen on the Glyptodon clavipes. 103 



In not one of these instances was any portion of bony armour discovered with or near the bones. For 

 the knowledge of the two last- cited instances of the discovery of the Megatherium, I am indebted to Sir 

 Woodbine Parish, who has also obligingly translated for me the following notice of the discovery of 

 bones and armour of a fourth Glyptodon (assuming the Cure Larranaga's to have been the first), now 

 deposited in the Museum at Monte Video. It forms the first of a list of fossils recently added to that 

 Museum, and of which a brief notice occurs in a report on the subject inserted in one of the Spanish 

 journals. 



" Account of Fossil Bones deposited in the Museum of Monte Video, 

 and found in the year 1838. 



No. I. 



" Fossil skeleton found in the left bank of the little river Pedernal before its junction with the Sala, 

 an affluent of the Rio Santa, near Monte Video. 



" After removing the earth about 27 inches from the surface, some portions of a boni/ shell or covering 

 were discovered. These were composed of hexagonal divisions, 1 or 2 inches in diameter, varying in 

 thickness from 1 to 1| inch. The thickest were attached to the dorsal region, and the thinner ones 

 appeared to form the lateral extremities of the shield. From the centre of each of these polygons a small 

 disc was noticed, of from ^ to 1 inch in diameter, from which 6 or 8 lines diverge, leaving between them 

 so many little quadrangular divisions. These pieces were joined by symphysis, and formed a sort of 

 mosaic work, pretty symmetrical to the eye. The posterior part of the shell had a sort of border which 

 probably bounded the coccygeal region, composed of more conical pieces than the rest, but of about 

 the same diameter ; (this caudal border formed a notch of 9 inches diameter). When first found, Don 

 Roberto carefully measured the whole shell, which appeared like a huge barrel, and was 4 feet 9 inches 

 over the transverse curve. 



" On proceeding to remove the earth further, the first bones met with were two lumbar vertebrae, then 

 one ilium, then that of the opposite side ; lastly, the entire pelvis. The ilia and a large portion of the 

 ischia of both sides were preserved. Some fragments saved very fragile. 



" The vertebra had subsided half a yard from the shell ; they had spinous processes, and were united 

 to the iliac bones, determining their separation. There was discovered also a wide bone, like the scapula 

 (coracoid?) of a tortoise, adhering to the anterior part of the shell. 



" A portion of a rib (5 inches long, 1 inch wide, at thickest part 10 lines). A phalanx (very hard, at 

 least 1 inch long, 6 or 7 lines across middle part). Some shining fragments of a substance like that 

 which covers the crown of certain molar teeth *. (Cranium and extremities searched for, but not found.) 



" Every effort was made to get out the shell whole, but it mouldered away as soon as it was exposed to 

 the sun and air. 



" These Antediluvian remains were disposed in the Museum, to satisfy public curiosity." 



* Afterwards described as some very lustrous fragments, some prismatic, and others slightly grooved 

 (acanalados), of a colour like tortoise-shell, on which nitric acid effervesced strongly, as it did on the 

 portions of the shield. 



