HABITS OF THE SLOTH. 157 



large a share of happiness as any of his transatlantic 

 brethren. 



But though moving beneath the branches of a 

 tree, the Sloth does not hang head downwards, like 

 a bat* When asleep, he supports himself from a 

 branch parallel to the earth, having first grasped it 

 with one paw, and then with the other, and after 

 that, bringing up his legs, one by one, to the same 

 branch, so that all four are in a line : thus situated, 

 he seems perfectly tranquil and at ease. Had he a 

 tail it would be much in the way ; if drawn up be- 

 tween his legs, it would interfere with them, and 

 were he to let it hang down, it would become the 

 sport of the winds, or of some chattering monkey, 

 who might amuse himself to the unspeakable annoy- 

 ance of the Sloth. 



Waterton also notices a peculiarity in his hair, 

 which has not been mentioned by any other natu- 

 ralist. It is thick and coarse at the extremity, and 

 gradually tapers to the root, where it equals in fine- 

 ness a spider's web. His colour, too, so closely 

 resembles that of the moss which grows on the 

 branches of forest trees, that it is extremely difficult 

 to discover him. If we examine further the forma- 

 mation of the fore-legs, we shall perceive that their 

 firm and muscular texture is admirably adapted to 

 support the weight of his body, both in climbing 

 and when at rest. Instead, therefore, of denouncing 

 the Sloth as a clumsy creature, incapable of joy and 

 full of sorrow, we ought to consider that he is in 

 every respect most wonderfully adapted to his extra- 

 ordinary mode of life. 



The Indians say proverbially, " When the wind 



