GKOUP OF SLOTHS (Arctopithecus grtsews). 



ORDER EDENTATA, OR BRUTA (ANIMALS WITHOUT FRONT TEETH). 



CHAPTER Li 



TARDIGRADA, OR SLOTHS. 



The South American Forests Discovery of the Sloth How it derived its Name Peculiarities of Dentition Food Fore 

 Limbs and Fingers Hind Limbs and Heel Other Modifications of Structure Kinds of Sloth Waterton's Captive 

 Sloth Habits of the Animal Burchell's Tame Sloths Manner of Climbing Trees Disposition Activity among Trees 

 Naturalists' Debate about Anatomy Probable Conclusion regarding it Skeleton Vertebras the Rudimentary 

 Tail Most Distinctive Skeletal Characters Arm, Wrist, Hand, Fingers, Claws- -Mode of Walking Great Utility of 

 the Claws Face of Sloth Skull Teeth Classification TARDIGRADA E&KDIP^T>ID& Genus BEADYPUS 

 Characteristics Genus ABCTOPITHECUS Characteristics CHOLCEPODID^E THE COLLARED SLOTH Description 

 Skull Bones Habits Circulation of the Blood Rete MirahileTiiE Ai THE UNAU Appearance Skull and 

 Teeth Skeleton Interesting Anatomical Features Stomach HOFFMANN'S SLOTH Description Habits. 



WHEN the 'dense forests of the northern parts of South America were first explored t>y Europeans, 

 it was observed that active Spider Monkeys, Howlers, and their Quadrumanous allies, were not the 

 only climbing animals which frequented the trees. For every now and then, hunters came in sight of 

 creatures about the size of a large Monkey, but whose sluggish movements, long hair, short heads, 

 small ears and tail, and very long claws, enabled them to be distinguished at once from their very 

 lively companions. It was noticed that these new creatures, instead of climbing quickly and swing- 

 ing from branch to branch and running along the boughs, moved very slowly, by hanging head and 

 body downwards and grasping the branches with their long claws. During the daytime, these quiet 

 animals were constantly found asleep, huddled up in the fork of a branch, and looking like great 

 balls of tow, or else hanging by two legs, the rest of the body being curled \ip. Now and then, 

 one was seen at the foot of a tree, and it appeared to run along the ground with great difficulty ; 

 for the arms were so long that it walked on the elbows, and the hind feet were turned in, so 



