. An introduction to the study of mammals living and extinct. Mammals. 202 EDENT A TA approximate in structure to those of the next family, so that the genus tends to connect the Armadillos with the Glyptodonts. Family Glyptodontid^. In the Pleistocene cavern-deposits of Brazil, but still more abundantly in the fluviatile deposits which cover the country in the neighbourhood of Buenos Ayres, are found the remains of some of the most remarkable forms of mammals yet discovered, the Glyptodonts, which may be regarded as forming a separate extinct family. They diiFer from the existing Dasypoclidm
. An introduction to the study of mammals living and extinct. Mammals. 202 EDENT A TA approximate in structure to those of the next family, so that the genus tends to connect the Armadillos with the Glyptodonts. Family Glyptodontid^. In the Pleistocene cavern-deposits of Brazil, but still more abundantly in the fluviatile deposits which cover the country in the neighbourhood of Buenos Ayres, are found the remains of some of the most remarkable forms of mammals yet discovered, the Glyptodonts, which may be regarded as forming a separate extinct family. They diiFer from the existing Dasypoclidm in their large size, and in having the carapace composed of a solid piece (formed by the union of a multitude of bony dermal scutes) without any movable rings, and in usually hav- ing also a ventral piece or plastron. The facial portion of the skiill is very short. A long process of the maxillary bone descends from the anterior part of the zygomatic arch. The ascending ramus of the mandible is remarkably high. The teeth are -g in the known species, all much alike, having two deep grooves or flutings on each side, so as to divide them into three nearly distinct lobes (Fig. 68). The verte- bral column is almost entirely ankylosed into a solid tube, and there is a complex joint at the base of the neck, to allow of the head being retracted within the carapace. The limbs are very strong, and the feet short and broad, resembling externally those of an elephant or tortoise. This family is mainly characteristic of the southern half of the American continent, but some species of the type genus ranged into Texas and Mexico. Many species of the family have been described and iigured, especially by Burmeister (in the Jnnale.'i del JIii^co publico dc Buenos Aires), among which the following may be noticed. Hoploplim-us is characterised by the sculptured and frequently thin scutes of the carapace, those of the periphery being flat, and not raised into prominences. The caudal sheath has sever
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