TOOTHLESS ANIMALS.* 



THE term by which naturalists designate the small order of animals which we are now gojng to 

 describe, must not bo taken in the strictest sense. Some of them, indeed, aiv absolutely witlmul. 

 teeth, but others possess these organs, though limited as to number, of a peculiar structure, and 

 destitute of the neck portion and the enamel. The Edentata resolve themselves into two sections : 

 the LEAF-EATERS, and the INSKCT or FLUSH- EATERS. 



LEAF-EATEIIS. 

 THE family requiring here a primary notice, is that of the Slolfttt.^ 



THE COMMON SLOTH, Oil AI.J 



THERE was a time, happily now passed, when this animal was described as an ill-constructed 

 creature, painfully awkward in all its movements, and doomed to pass a miserable existence. It 

 might have been supposed that such a view was erroneous, when nothing is more striking in tin- 

 survey of animated nature than the precise adaptation of every known being to the circnmstair 

 which it is destined to exist ; whether it has to roam on the surface of the earth, to burrow beneatli, 

 to wing its flight through the air, or to swim in the water. 



The error arose from contemplating the sloth only on the ground, where it was ne\er designed 

 to live. It is an animal exclusively arboreal.; the trees yield its necessary food, anil its settled dwell- 

 ing-place ; hence here, and here alone, does it appear perfectly at home, and in the enjoyment of its lull 

 measure of comfort and happiness ; and, as Mr. Waterton remarks, " its extraordinary formation an.l 

 singular habits are but further proofs to engage us to admire the wonderful works of Omnipotence." 



In examining the skeleton of the sloth, it will be found that the fore limbs are twice as long as 

 the hinder pair; and that all four are terminated by huge, hook-like claws. The pelvis is bird like in 



Edentata : Cuv 



t Tardigrada- Owen. 



J Brailj pus triilactylus : I.iui 



