Page:Geology and Mineralogy considered with reference to Natural Theology, 1837, volume 2.djvu/34

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

14—19. Armour of Dasypus and Chlamyphorus.

Plate 6. V.I. p. 118.

1. Sections of Teeth of Megatherium, illustrating the relative dispositions of the Ivory, Enamel, and Crusta petrosa, or Cœementum. (Original. Clift.)

2. Posterior surface of a caudal vertebra of Megatherium exhibiting enormous transverse processes. On its lower margin are seen the articulating surfaces which received the chevron bone; the superior spinous process is broken off. V. I. p. 121. (Sir F. Chantrey. Original.)

Plate 7. V. I. p. 133.

Ichthyosaurus platyodon from the Lias at Lyme Regis, discovered by T. Hawkins, Esq. and deposited in the British Museum, together with all the other splendid fossil remains that are engraved in his memoirs of Ichthyosauri and Plesiosauri. This animal, though by no means full grown, must have measured twenty-four feet in length. The extremity of the tail, and left fore paddle, and some lost

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.