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MAMMALIA. 
There have been discovered in America the fossil skeletons of two animals belonging to the order 
Edentata [and lately another not yet named] , of enormous dimensions : the first of them, the Mega- 
therium^ has a head very similar to that of a Sloth, hut without canines, and approximating in the rest 
of its skeleton partly to the Sloths, and partly to the Ant-eaters, [most of all, however, to the minute 
Chlamyphorus, having even been covered by a similar massive buckler]. It is twelve feet long, and 
six or seven high. The other, the Megalonyx, is rather less : its toes are the only parts that are well 
known, and they strongly resemble those of the other. 
Tlie second tribe, comprehending 
The Ordinary Edentata, — 
Have the muzzle pointed. They have still molar teeth, and are divisible into two genera. 
The Armadillos {Dasypus, Lin.) — 
Are very remarkable among the Mammalia, for the scaly and hard [bony] shell, composed of pave- 
ment-like compartments, which covers their head and body, and often the tail. This substance forms 
a shield upon their forehead, another larger and more convex on the shoulders, a third on the crupper 
similar to the preceding, and between the two 
latter several parallel and moveable bands, 
which allow the body to bend. The tail is 
sometimes furnished with successive rings ; and 
at others, with varied tubercles, like the legs. 
These animals have [generally] large ears, and 
also great claws, either five or four anteriorly, 
and always five to their hind-feet ; a some- 
what pointed muzzle ; cylindrical grinding 
teeth separated from each other, to the num- 
ber of seven or eight on each side of both 
jaws, and without enamel on the inside ; a 
soft tongue, but little extensible; and there 
are a few scattered hairs between their scales, 
or on those parts of the body not covered by the shell. They excavate burrows, and subsist partly on 
vegetables, and partly on insects and carcases : their stomach is simple, and there is no coecum. All 
of them are indigenous to the warm or at least temperate regions of South America. 
They may be arranged into subgenera, according to the structure of their fore-feet and the number 
of their teeth. The majority have only four toes anteriorly, of which the medial are the longest. Of 
this number are 
The Cachicames, F. Cuv., — 
Which have only seven teeth on each side of both jaws ; a pointed muzzle ; and long tail encircled 
with bony rings. Such are 
The Black Armadillo of Azzara (D. novemcinctus, Lin.), with nine intermediate bands, and sometimes but 
eight ; also the Mule Armadillo of the same naturalist {D. septemcinctus), with a shorter tail than the preceding. 
The Aparas, F. Cuv.,~ 
Have toes the same as in the Cachicames, but nine or ten teeth above and below. 
The Apara Armadillo of Azzara {B. tricinctus, Lin.), with three intermediate bands, and a very short tail plated 
with regular tuberculated compartments. By enclosing its head and feet within its armour, this species is enabled 
to roll itself completely into a ball, like certain Onisci. It inhabits Brazil and Paraguay, and is one of those found 
farthest to the south. 
Other Armadillos, 
The Encouberts, F. Cuv., — 
Have five toes to their fore-feet, of which the three medial are the longest : their tail is in great part 
covered with quincunx scales, and their teeth are nine or ten in number, above and below. In this 
subdivision ranges 
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