l^)^ MEGATHERIUM. 
As to its place in the system of quadrupeds, it 
is perfectly marked by the sole inspection of the 
ordinary indicatory characters, that is, the claws 
and teeth. These shew that it must be classed in 
the family of unguiculated quadrupeds destitute 
of cutting-teeth ; and, in fact, it has striking re- 
lations with these animals in all parts of its body. 
This family is composed of the Sloth ( Bradypus ) , 
Armadillo (Dasypus), Pangolin (Manis)^ Ant- 
Eater ( Myrmecophaga J, and Orycteropus or Cape 
Ant-Eater. 
The great thickness of the branches of the 
lower jaw, surpassing even that of the elephant, 
seems to prove that the vast animal was not content 
with leaves, but, like the elephant and rhinoceros, 
broke and ground the branches themselves; its 
close and flat-crowned teeth appearing very pro- 
per for that purpose. The position of the bones 
of the nose, having some analogy with that of the 
elephant ?.nd tapir, would induce a suspicion that 
our animal wore a trunk, but it must have been 
very short, since the length of the head and neck 
together equals that of the fore legs. However 
this be, we find in the absence of canine-teeth, 
and the shortness of the muzzle, sufficient cha- 
racters to constitute a new genus in the family of 
the edentated, which ought to be placed between 
the Sloth and the Armadillo ; since to the shape 
of the head of the former, it joins the teeth of the 
latter. It would be necessary to know particulars 
of which a skeleton cannot inform us, such as the 
nature of the teguments, the form of the tongue. 
