Geology and Mineralogy considered with reference to Natural Theology/Plate 5

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Geology and Mineralogy considered with reference to Natural Theology
by William Buckland

Plate 5

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668665Geology and Mineralogy considered with reference to Natural Theology — Plate 5William Buckland

Plate 5. V. I. p. 112.

1. Skeleton of Megatherium, copied from Pander and D' Alton's figure of the nearly perfect skeleton of this animal, in the Museum at Madrid.

2. Bones of the Pelvis of Megatherium, discovered by Woodbine Parish, Esq. near Buenos Ayres, and now placed in the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons, London. The bones of the left hind leg, and several of those of the foot, are restored nearly to their natural place. (Original.)

3. Front view of the left Femur.

4. Front view of the left Tibia and Fibula.

5. Bones of the foot, imperfectly restored.

5'. Large ungual bone, supposed to be that of a Toe of the hind foot.

6—11. Teeth of Megatherium.

12, 13. Armour, supposed to be that of Megatherium.^[1]

14—19. Armour of Dasypus and Chlamyphorus.

↑ Mr. Darwin has recently discovered the Remains of Megatherium along an extent of nearly six hundred miles, in a North and South line, in the great sandy plains of the Pampas of Buenos Ayres, accompanied by bones and Teeth of at least five other Quadrupeds. He has also found that the Bones of [this Animal are so often accompanied by those of the Mastodon angustidens, as to leave no doubt that these two extinct species were contemporary.
I learn from Professor Lichstenstein, that a fresh importation of Bones of Megatherium, and bony armour has lately been sent to Berlin from Buenos Ayres, and that there remains no room to doubt that some portion of this armour appertained to the Megatherium.

It appears very probable, from more recent discoveries, that several other large and small animals, armed with a similar coat of mail, were co-inhabitants of the same sandy regions with the Megatherium.

[1] Mr. Darwin has recently discovered the Remains of Megatherium along an extent of nearly six hundred miles, in a North and South line, in the great sandy plains of the Pampas of Buenos Ayres, accompanied by bones and Teeth of at least five other Quadrupeds. He has also found that the Bones of [this Animal are so often accompanied by those of the Mastodon angustidens, as to leave no doubt that these two extinct species were contemporary.
I learn from Professor Lichstenstein, that a fresh importation of Bones of Megatherium, and bony armour has lately been sent to Berlin from Buenos Ayres, and that there remains no room to doubt that some portion of this armour appertained to the Megatherium.

It appears very probable, from more recent discoveries, that several other large and small animals, armed with a similar coat of mail, were co-inhabitants of the same sandy regions with the Megatherium.

[1]