NATURAL HISTORY OF THE POTO. 63 



gether. But man is not included. Formed in the 

 likeness of his Maker, and designed to be the temple 

 of the Holy Spirit, he has dominion over all, and 

 stands at an immeasurable height above every other 

 species of organized existence. 



The poto has been brought into Europe several 

 times, and has been as frequently described. His 

 disposition is said to be remarkably mild ; he passes 

 the day in sleep, lying on one side with his head 

 reclining on his breast and covering himself with 

 his arms. When aroused he generally complains of 

 the interruption, and runs to shade his eyes from 

 the full blaze of day in some obscure corner, but 

 caresses soon bring him back; he begins to play, 

 till the excitement is withdrawn, and then the love 

 of sleep seems to overpower him. When evening 

 draws on, he slowly awakes, rouses himself, steps 

 forward a few paces with irresolute and measured 

 steps, utters a bleating sound, and puts forth his 

 long tongue. If milk be offered, he laps it like a 

 dog, and partakes heartily of fruit or bread. Such 

 are his habits when domesticated. In a wild state, 

 he is said to climb the highest trees, and to descend 

 by the aid of his hind legs after the manner of the 

 coati. His tail is also very useful; it serves him 

 instead of a hand in holding by the branches as he 

 climbs from tree to tree, and he draws with it such 

 objects towards him, as could not be otherwise ob- 

 tained. The tongue of the poto is very long and 

 slender: when he discovers, by the sense of smelling, 

 that honey is within each, either in a cavern or a 

 hollow tree, he immediately repairs thither, and, 

 cautiously ascending the trunk or rock, darts forth 



