Page:The Zoologist, 1st series, vol 1 (1843).djvu/314

larger frequently descend, and pass a considerable portion of their lives on the ground. So, also, in the ant-bears, the smallest species of all lives entirely in trees; those of middle size feed principally on the ground, but also ascend trees; while the very largest have the ground assigned them for their perpetual abode. It therefore very reasonably excites our astonishment, to find that in a former period of creation, such enormous monsters should have had trees allotted them for their habitat."—Id. 1. c. p. 210.

But it is time that we turn to Professor Owen's dissertation, which is certainly the most complete analysis of a fossil skeleton that it has ever been our good fortune to peruse. First, we have the history of the fossil.

"The skeleton which is the subject of the present memoir, was discovered in the year 1841 by M. Pedro de Angelis, seven leagues north of the city of Buenos Ayres, in the fluviatile deposits constituting the extensive plain intersected by the great Rio Plata and its tributaries, and which has been raised during a recent geological epoch above the level of the sea.

"In this formation, and most probably anterior to its elevation, the animal must have been buried entire; and, if the present heat of the climate prevailed, soon after its death: for the parts of the skeleton were found little disturbed, and the very few bones that are wanting are such as would be likely to escape the search of the most diligent collector.

"About the same time, and near the same place, a tesselated osseous carapace of some large quadruped, like an armadillo, was exhumed; and information of this discovery having been communicated to the Royal College of Surgeons by Sir Woodbine Parish, late H.M. Chargé d'Affaires at Buenos Ayres, both this carapace and the above mentioned skeleton were purchased by the College. They arrived in November 1841, in many pieces, fragile from the loss of the animal matter; but after having been restored in some measure to their original tenacity, the parts of the carapace were reunited, the skeleton was articulated, and both are now placed in the Museum."—Prof. Owens Memoir, p. 3.

We have next the history of similar remains as far as hitherto recorded, together with a sketch of the views of the respective authors, in the course of which the conclusions of Dr. Lund are given, but pronounced to be somewhat startling. Then we are presented with a concise description of the skeleton, in the following words.

"The singularly massive proportions of the skeleton of the Mylodon robustus arrest the attention of every observer, and are not less calculated to excite the surprise of the professed comparative anatomist.

"A trunk, shorter than that of the Hippopotamus, is terminated behind by a pelvis, equalling in breadth and exceeding in depth that of the Elephant. This capacious bony basin rests on two massive but short hind extremities, terminated by feet as long as the femora, set at right angles to the leg, as in the plantigrade animals, but with the sole slightly turned inwards.

"A tail equalling the hind limbs in length, and proportionally as thick and strong, assists in supporting, rather than depends from, the broad sacral termination of the pelvis.