130 The American Geologist. Feb. 1891 
charge of Prof. Capellini. This is the only specimen yet obtained 
aside from detached bones. A figure of this may be seen in 
Nicholson and Lyddeker's " Palaeontology. " The head is longer 
and thinner than in either of the aforementioned genera, and the 
feet, so far as known, indicate considerable difference. The whole 
animal is less massive and is as it stands about 9 feet long. Its- 
discover}' was announced by Darwin on his return from South 
America, and the bones which he brought home are in the mu- 
seum at South Kensington. 
Of Skelidotherium. about seven species have been named. But 
the member of this remarkable family which most close!}' concerns 
this paper is Megaloivyx. Generally closely resembling the above 
it yet differs in some points of less moment such as the perforated 
humerus, the long interval between the first and second teeth. The 
alreadj- given description and habits of Megatherium and Mylodon 
need not be repeated. 
The history of the known specimens of this animal is not less 
interesting than that of those alread}' referred to. The earliest 
mention of it occurs in the proceedings of the American Philo- 
sophical Society, the parent of scientific societies in this country, 
and whose founder and leading spirit was Benjamin Franklin. 
Here, under date of August 19, 1796, occurs the following entry ; 
"Jefferson's letter to Bittenhouse (deceased) describing bones 
of extraordinary size found beyond the Blue Mountains' in Vir- 
ginia, appearing to be of the tyger, lion and panther species, was 
read by Dr. Barton." 
Again, at an adjourned meeting on March 10, 1797, occurs the 
entiy : 
"Jefferson's memoire on the discovery of certain bones of quad- 
ruped of the " blank space left, as if the secretary intended 
to enter the full title at a more convenient season which never 
came. 
Also the following : 
' ' Resolved, That this memoire be put into the hands of the Com- 
mittee of Selection of Publication, and said company are instructed 
to employ a proper person to undertake and execute drawings of 
the several bones exhibited (sic) by Mr. Jefferson with his memoire 
and in it referred to. 
• Resolved, That it is the request of the society to Mr. Peal he 
