778 



THE AI, OR THREE-TOED SLOTH. 



talons over it, and hangs in perfect security. In order to enable the animal to suspend 

 itself without danger of falling, the limbs are enormously strong, the fore-legs are re- 

 markable 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 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, however, he is quite a different creature, full of life and animation, and travers- 

 ing 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 per- 

 mit the animal to pass from one tree to an- 

 other 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 be managed 

 with great dexterity. It is very tenacious of 

 life, and is protected from any injury which it 

 might receive from falls by the peculiar struc- 

 ture of its skull. In length it is about two 

 feet. 



The Ai, or THREE TOED SLOTH, is an inhab- 

 itant of South America, and is more common 

 than the preceding animal, from which it can 

 easily he distinguished by the third toe on its 

 feet. The color of this animal is rather varia- 

 ble, but is generally of a brownish-gray, slight- 

 ly variegated by differently tinted hairs, and 

 the head and face being darker than the body 

 and limbs. The hair has a curious hay-like 

 aspect, being coarse, flat, and harsh towards 

 the extremity, although it is very fine towards 

 the root. Owing to the color and structure of 

 the hair, the Ai can hardly be distinguished 

 from the bough under which it hangs, and 

 owes much of its safety to this happy resem- 

 blance ; for its flesh is very good, and, in con- 

 sequence, the poor creature is dreadfully per- 

 secuted by the natives, as well as by the white 

 hunters. The cry of this creature is low and 

 plaintive, and is thought to resemble the sound 

 Ai. The head is short and round, the eyes 



deeply sunk in the head, and nose large and very moist. 



The young of the Ai, as well as those of the other Sloths, cling to their mother as 



soon as they are born, and are carried about by her until they are able to transfer their 



weight from their parent to the branches. Several other species of Sloths are known 



to exist, but all are similar in appearance and habits. 



AI, OR THREE-TOED SLOTH. 



Bradypus tridactylus. 



