264 THE SLOTH. 



formed as to require two days to enable it to 

 ascend a tree. But what a different account do 

 those give of it, who have seen it in the localities 

 to which it has been assigned by Providence. 

 Instead of being the helpless animal that has 

 been described, it is, on the contrary, wonderfully 

 adapted from its formation and habits for the 

 mode of life it was destined to lead. Nor are we 

 to suppose that this animal has not his full share 

 of enjoyment, as compared with that of other 

 quadrupeds. The sloth may be called a tree ani- 

 mal, with quite as much propriety as the horse or 

 cow may be called terrestrial animals. When this 

 fact is known, and the anatomy of the sloth exa- 

 mined with reference to it, we shall find that no- 

 thing can be more perfect than its organization. 

 It lives on trees, and dies on trees, nor is it ne- 

 cessary to descend them to procure water, as it 

 does not require any. Its legs are extremely mus- 

 cular, and are perfectly capable of supporting the 

 weight of the animal. In suspending itself from 

 branches of trees, all the four legs are used, and 

 this is evidently its natural position. In moving 

 from tree to tree, also, the body always hangs 

 downwards. When in search of food, or of its 

 own species, the sloth can shew considerable ac- 

 tivity. So careful has Providence been of the 

 preservation of this harmless, and apparently de- 

 fenceless animal, that its fur is of the same colour 



