778 THE ATI, OR THREE-TOED SLOTH. 
talons over it, and hangs in perfect security. In order to enable the animal to suspend 
itself without danger of falling, the limbs are enormously strong, the fore-legs are 
remarkable for their length, and the toes of all four feet are furnished with strong curved 
claws. Upon the ground the Sloth is entirely out of its element, as its limbs are wholly 
unadapted for supporting the weight of the body, and its long claws cannot be employed 
as adjuncts to the feet. The only manner in which a Sloth can advance, when he is 
untortunately placed in such a position, is by hitching his claws into any depression that 
may afford him a hold, and so dragging himself slowly and painfully forward. On the 
trees, however, he is quite a different creature, full of life and animation, and traversing 
the branches at a speed which is anything but slothful. The Sloth travels best in windy 
weather, because the branches of trees are blown against each other, and permit the 
animal to pass from one tree to another without 
descending to the ground. 
The food of the Sloth consists of leaves, 
buds, and young shoots. It appears to stand 
in no need of water, being satisfied with the 
moisture which clings to the herbage on which 
it feeds. In gathering the leaves and drawing 
the branches within reach, the Sloth makes 
ereat use of its fore-paws, which, however help- 
less upon the ground, can be managed with 
ereat dexterity. It is very tenacious of life, 
and is protected from any injury which it might 
receive from falls by the peculiar structure of 
its skull. In length it is about two feet. 
The At, or THREE-TOED SLOTH, is an inha- 
bitant of South America, and is more common 
than the preceding animal, from which it can 
easily be distinguished by the third toe on its 
feet. The colour of this animal is rather 
variable, but is generally of a brownish-grey, 
slightly variegated by differently tinted hairs, 
and the head and face being darker than the 
body and limbs. The hair has a curious hay- 
like aspect, being coarse, flat, and harsh towards 
the extremity, although it is very fine towards 
the root. Owing to the colour and structure of 
the hair, the Ai can hardly be distinguished 
from the bough under which it hangs, and owes 
much of its safety to this happy resemblance ; 
for its flesh is very good, and, in consequence, 
the poor creature is dreadfully persecuted by 
the natives, as well as by the white hunters. 
The ery of this creature is low and plaintive, 
ALOR THREE-TOED SLOTE.— Prades iridécnjins:” ond is thought to resemble the sound eiamatne 
head is short and round, the eyes deeply sunk 
in the head, and nose large and very moist. 
The young of the Ai, as well as those of the other Sloths, cling to their mother as soon 
as they are born, and are earried about by her until they are able to transfer their weight 
from their parent to the branches. Several other species of Sloths are known to exist, 
but all are similar in appearance and habits. 
