THE COMMON SLOTH. 



275 



tive of the West Indies, where it is not very often seen, although it is 

 not a very uncommon animal. 



The peculiarity to be noticed in all the Sloths, of which there are 

 several species, is that they pass the whole of their lives suspended, 

 with their backs downward, from the branches of trees. The Sloth 

 never gets upon a bough, but simply hooks his curved talons over it, 

 and hangs in perfect security. In order to enable the animal to sus- 

 pend 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 



The Sloth [Cholcepus didactylus). 



employed as adjuncts to the feet. The only manner in which a Sloth 

 can advance when he is unfortunately 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, how- 

 ever, 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 great use of 

 its fore-paws, which, however helpless upon the ground, can here be 



