SLOTHS AND THEIR ALLIES. 579 
tected, as in the pangolins (Fig. 501) and armadillos (Fig. 
502), with large thick scales. They feed on insects and de- 
cayed animal matter, or on leaves. They are of moderate 
size, though certain extinct forms were colossal in stature. 
The leaf-eating forms, viz., the sloths, differ from the 
other Bruta in the very long and slender limbs, the hinder 
pairthe shorter. There are five teeth above and four below, 
which become sharp with use, like chisels ; the stomach is 
said to be remarkably complex. In disposition these crea- 
tures are types of sluggishness ; they live in trees, being 
absolutely helpless on the ground, not being capable of 
walking on the bottom of the foot. 
Waterton says that, in climbing, the 
ai (Bradypus tridactylus, Figs. 499 and 
500) uses its legs alternately ; that its 
hair ‘‘is thick and coarse at the ex- 
tremity and gradually tapers to the 
root, where it becomes fine as a spider’s 
web. His fur has so much the hue of 
the moss which grows on the branches 
of the trees, that it is very difficult to 
make him out when he is at rest.’’ 
Only two Edentates now occur in 
the United States, but formerly colos- 
sal, sloth-like forms, with some resem- 
blance to the ant-eaters, ranged over oe jee a Gs ters 
the Southern and Middle States as far tude — After Wood, from 
north as Pennsylvania, their bones oc- bocce 
curring in .aves. Such was the Megatherium, a gigantic, 
sloth-like creature, which extended from Pennsylvania to 
the pampas of Sonth America, and whose skeleton is over 
five metres (18 feet) long. With it was associated the Meg- 
alonyzx, first described by Thomas Jefferson ; it was as large 
as a bison, as was the Mylodon. 'Thes> animals walked on 
the soles of the feet, could rise on their hind legs and partly 
support themselves by their thick tails, pulling down large 
trees and feeding upon the leaves and smaller branches. 
In the ant-eaters the jaws are toothless, but very long, and 
the tongue is of great length and very extensile ; the sub- 
