Journal of Proceedings.
ix
bones, fitted for the attachment of muscles still more powerful, evoked an
interesting exposition of the chain of reasoning which enables compara-
tive anatomists to mentally reclothe the skeletons of extinct animals with
the vesture of life, and to speak with confidence not only of their general
habits, but even sometimes of special incidents in their biographies. This
great sloth was formed with tail and hind legs to sit tripod-like before a
tree, and powerful enough, so sitting, to pull trees down. The shape of
the skull and jaws showed that the tongue was long, cylindrical, powerful,
and muscular, fitted like that of the giraffe for plucking down boughs ;
and the size of the aperture for the nerves which induced motion in the
tongue led him to say that this organ in the Megatherium was four times
the size of the tongue of the giraffe in the Zoological Gardens. One
specimen found must have been twice stunned by some falling mass which
had fractured the skull, and the animal probably died from inflammation
which set in when the second wound was partly healed. The wounds were
so severe that the animal receiving them must have lain helpless for some
time; therefore they were not likely to have been given by a foe, such as
the lion of the period, who would certainly have killed a prostrate victim.
The wounds were received at long intervals apart, and the assumption was
that on two occasions in its life the animal had pulled trees down upon
itself, the second accident causing a lingering and painful death. Later
on, in the Reptilia galleries, came demonstrations of the great marine
reptiles, the Plesiosaurus, with its 22 feet of length, and Ichthyosauria
with large eyes and terrible jaws, from the Lias ; nor were the Pro-
fessor's especial favourites forgotten,—his "Dragons" or Pterodactylus,—
great volent lizards, some with flying-membranes, or wings, expanding 20
feet, which ages ago may have rendered "night hideous" as they glided
in search of prey through the moonlit air of the primaeval world.
The party had also the benefit of the presence and assistance of the
genial Keeper of Geology, Dr. Henry Woodward, F.E.S., who did all in his
power to render the meeting a success, and who demonstrated to a section
of the party the late Sir Antonio Brady's collection of Pleistocene Mam-
malia from Ilford, Essex, now in the Museum ; and Professor Morris, who
was present, also rendered valuable help in like expositions.
A cordial vote of thanks was passed to Professor Owen on the motion
of the Rev. W. Linton Wilson, and the Club then adjourned to the
Exhibition Galleries, South Kensington Museum, where General Pitt-
Rivers, F.R.S., conducted the party over his Anthropological collection.
This collection is probably unique of its kind. It is a museum of primi-
tive arts, arranged in accordance with the modern views of evolution. It
exhibits, by means of selected specimens, the development from rude
beginnings of certain arts and handicrafts, such as tools, weapons, pot-
tery, musical instruments, clothing, weaving, horse-furniture, agricultural
implements, personal ornaments, ship-building, ornamentation, &c. The
General accompanied his guests through a large portion of his museum,
stopping before each case to give short impromptu lectures, in which