[ 103 ] 



THE SLOTH TRIBE *. 



JLN this tribe there have been hitherto only three 

 species discovered, two of which are found more 

 commonly in South America than in any other parts 

 of the world. Their motions are unparalleled in 

 the rest of the animal creation, for slowness and in- 

 activity. The feet are furnished with strong hooked 

 claws to enable them to climb the trees, where their 

 voracity leads them to devour both the leaves and 

 fruit ^. Their eyes are languid and heavy, and 

 their whole countenance expresses so much misery, 

 that no one can look upon them without pity. 

 Their teats are seated on the breast; and in two of the 

 species it is a remarkable circumstance, that, instead 

 of distinct excretory apertures, there is only one 

 common canal, as in Birds \. 



The Sloths have no cutting teeth in either jaw : 

 the canine-teeth are obtuse ; and there are five 

 grinders on each side. Their fore-legs are much 



* The Linna^an Order, Bruta, commences with the Sloths. The 

 animals belonging to this order have no iVont-teeth in either jaw- 

 Their feet arc armed with strong, blunt, and hoof-like nails. Their 

 form is in appearance clumsy, and tlieir pace somewhat slow. Their 

 food is for the most part vegetable. — None of the animals of this 

 order are found in Europe. They consist principally of the Sloths, 

 the Ant-eaters, the Rhinoceros, Elephant, and Manati. 



t Elements of NaturalllJstory, i. 79. \ Kerr, i. 102. 



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