FAUNA OF THE POST-PLIOCENE. 



365 



supposition that it obtained its food in this way. Similar 

 habits were followed by the allied Mylodon (fig. 261), another 

 of the great " Ground-Sloths," which inhabited South America 

 during the Post-Pliocene period. In most respects, the Mylo- 



Ylg. 261. Skeleton of Mylodon robuatus. Post-Pliocene, South America. 



don is very like the Megathere ; but the crowns of the molar 

 teeth are flat instead of being ridged. The nearly-related 

 genus Megalonyx, unlike the Megathere, but like the Mylodon, 

 extended its range northwards as far as the United States. 



Fig. 262. Skeleton of Gl>/ptodon clavtpes. Post-Pliocene, South America. 



Just as the Sloths of the present day were formerly repre- 

 sented in the same geographical area by the gigantic Megathe- 



