THE DUCK-BILL, OR MULLINGONG. 635 
cl mature, attacking the nests of wasps, putting its little paw into the combs, and dragging the 
grabs from their cells. 
Like its larger relations, it its nocturnal in its habits, and sleeps during the day with its 
tail safely twisted round the branch on which it sits. The generic name Cyclothurus, signifies 
“twisted- tail,” and is very appropriate to the animal. 
Of the Edentate Order, embracing the toothless animals, so called, South America is 
especially the home. All of the animals of this order are not toothless. Most, however, agree 
in the absence of incisors and canines. Some have no teeth. Though these animals vary 
exceedingly in form and habits, yet, in certain points of structure, there is a manifest affinity. 
The strong feet and claws of most species, and their general sluggishness, clumsy forms and 
want of intelligence, are quite characteristic of 
the group. They are nearly peculiar to South 
America, although feebly represented in Africa 
and India. The teeth are very simple, when 
present; there are no roots, nor enamelled cap- 
pings to the crowns. 
It is a notable circumstance that though the 
present living forms of this order are compara- 
tively small and insignificant, the extinct species 
are remarkable for the gigantic dimensions many 
or most of them exhibit, as we may judge from 
the very perfect remains that are found in the 
caves and alluvial deposits. 
The bone caves of South America have fur- 
nished forth most wonderful and numerous relics 
of this order, which once inhabited that region. 
In 1789, a Spanish officer sent home some bones, 
gigantic in size. Cuvier found a sufficient number 
to determine the frame of the great creature 
known as the Megatherium. Though enormous 
in size — larger than the elephant — yet this crea- 
ture was like a true sloth. Its great frame was 
supported by a massive pelvis and hind legs ; the 
anterior extremities were constructed for grasp- 
ing, and the head small, with teeth suitable for 
LITTLE ANT-EATER. Cyclothurus toaactylu, ^ mwsing on t he limbs of trees. The length of One 
specimen was eighteen feet. The femur or thigh bone is three times the thickness of that 
of the elephant. The remains of other species of this animal were found in South Carolina. 
The Megalonyx was another creature of great bulk, allied to the preceding. It is found 
in both hemispheres. The term which is used to distinguish this species means great claws, 
and refers to its enormous fore-feet. Specimens have been found in Virginia and several of 
the Southern States. 
The Mylodon is another extinct sloth-like animal, the remains of which are found in Big- 
bone Lick, in Kentucky. It is not so large as the Megatherium , yet had a length of eleven 
feet. The distinct species are already made out, so abundant and comparatively perfect are 
the bones found. Several other extinct genera of this order are found, indicated by very 
perfect remains of bones, in JSTorth and South America. 
The remarkable Glyptodon , an extinct representative of the Armadillos, is found in South 
America. The shell of this animal has been found resembling that of a turtle. Some attained 
the length of fifteen feet. 
