THE SLOTH. 



329 



Jerboa (Dipus 



whatever in the rapid progression of the body, which solely 

 devolves upon the mighty posterior 

 extremities. How well these are suited 

 for their task is proved by the fact 

 that the African jumping hare, which 

 is about the size of a rabbit, will 

 clear a space of thirty feet at one 

 bound ; that the tiny jerboa can 

 hardly be overtaken by a horse ; and 

 that the great kangaroo (Halmaturus giganteus), although weigh- 

 ing above two hundred and twenty pounds, tires even the grey- 

 hound by the rapid repetition of its prodigious springs. 



While browsing on the herbage, the kangaroo is seen in a 

 crouching position, resting on its diminutive forepaws as well as 

 on its ponderous hinder extremities, and hopping gently along ; 

 but at the least alarm it raises itself on its hind-legs, and 

 bounding away is soon out of sight. 



What a difference in the construction of the sloth, where all 

 the vigour of the body is concentrated in the long and sinewy 



Skeleton of the Sloth. 



arms, while the short hind-legs are but scantily developed I On 

 seeing the animal, when by chance removed from its native 

 haunts, painfully creeping along on even ground, sighing and 

 piteously moaning, and scarcely advancing a few steps after 



