Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-01-13

THE MEGATHERlUM- There is being erect
ed on pedestal in the large hall at the Smith
Sonian Institution plaster cast OF fossil ske!.
eton of the Mcgatherlum. 1t was presented
to the institution by Professor Henry A. Ward.
who occupies the chair Of natuaral sciences IN
the University of Rochester.
Professor Ward having experienced the dit
fculties in the way of thorough instruction in
this branch of natural science In our colleges
and universities, because of the Incomplete
ness of their archaeological cabinets and find
ing it impossible to obtain many of the origl-
nal specimens Of the fossils necessary to a COM
plete cabinet, has aimed to supply their places
with correct plaster copies which are of equal
value for purposes of study. The casts were
made IN almost every instance from the most
perStect specimens that have as yet teen dis.
covered, and comprise same fifty specimens of
mammals and represent besides all the lmp0r-
tant and macy OF the minor divisions OF AMI
NAL life numbering in all 800 specimens.
OF the megatherium, Professor Ward says
To give to the singular qIadrupcd its proper
pc stion in the animal kingdom, was for many
years problem in comparative anatomy which
the Swans Of Europe could not solve. Led
astray by the huge caraace Of the glyptodon,
found near it, the majority called it a NAM
moth armaGio. Cuvier who gave it its gen.
eric title, thought it combined the characters
of the sloth, anteater and armadlllO Much
light was thrown upon the nature and struc-
ture of this most remarkable of all fossil mani
mails, by the celebrated English geologist, Pro-
lessor Owen. He conclusvely proves that the
megatherum was a ground sloth feeding on
the foliage Of trees, which it uprooted by It's
great strength.
The extreme length of the mounted skeleton
is seventeen feet and nine inches. The pevis
is the largest bone in any animal, living Or ex-
tinct 1t is upward of five feet broad
The hjnd-Ie!s appear more like columns for
support than organs for locomotions and With
the hind feet arc models OF massive organic
masonry The heel bono alone has the extra
ordinary length Of seventeen inches, and a
circumference of twenty-eight inches. The
monster walked, like the ant eater, on the out
side edge of it's foot on a marginal hoofIike
collosity. The middle toe of the hind foot,
and likewise the second, third, aud digits OF
the tore.foot, were armed with powerful claws
The magnitude of the tail fills the observer
with wonder; when clothed with flesh it must
have been more than six feet IN circumference
at the larger end. With the hlnd-legs it
formed tripod upon W hich the animal rested
WDen OBTAINING us lDUu. lut uicSdlleTlu!u
needed not agility for securing prey, SAGE it
was not carnivcrous nor for flight its size
alone constituting it proof against any foe.
The PUBLIC Funds 1t ought to be remem-
bered that the State at large and the people 10
general, are being oppressed and drained, while
the public funds, amounting to nearly two mil
lion dollars, are lying idle on deposit in the
banks of the city of Richmond. Of the en-
tire banking capital of the State $1,000. 900 in
cash, is mouopoIized for use and credit by the
Richmond banks. This is as it should not be-
The Legislature is da!lying with the discussion,
what ought to be done with the money: wheth-
er it should be used for the payment Of the in
terest on the debt Of the State aud meanwhile
the money lies idle aud proftless in the banks
of sing e city of the Commonwealth. The
question is pertinent and proper, whether, in
the event that this money is to remain on de-
post indefinitely, and dependent on the action
of the Legislature the bankers and the people
of one community only should absorb the ad-
vantage. -Pstersburg Index.