1850-51 
THE MEGATHERIUM 
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CHAPTER XI 
1850-51 
The Megatherium— Preparations for the Great Exhibition of 
1851 — The Smithfield Commission— Additions to the Zoological 
Gardens— Juror of awards at the Exhibition — Visit to Paris at 
the Invitation of the President of the French Republic — Article 
on Lyell’s Works in the Quarterly Review, October 1851 — The 
Copley Gold Medal — ‘ Chevalier de I’Ordre Royal pour le 
Merite’ — Sheen Lodge, 1851. 
In 1850 Woodbine Parish sent home from Buenos 
Ayres the remains of a gigantic extinct mammal, 
more nearly allied to the ant-eaters and sloths 
than to the armadillos. The Megatherium, as it 
has been named, had already been described by 
Cuvier and Mr. Clift ; but this new specimen 
afforded Owen the opportunity of writing his 
famous paper on the subject which appeared in 
the ‘ Philosophical Transactions.’ 
Early in the year Dr. Gideon Mantell wrote 
to him cautioning him against overtaxing his 
mental powers. In this letter Dr. Mantell says : 
‘ 1 once possessed as much mental energy as most 
men, but by overwork I now feel fit for nothing. 
