THE THREE-TOED SLOTH. 105 



Secondly, in having given it such an affecting 

 countenance, that when it looks at any one who 

 might be tempted to injure it, it is almost impos- 

 sible not to be moved with compassion ; it also sheds 

 tears, and upon the whole persuades one that a 

 creature so defenceless and so abject ought not to 

 be tormented. 



To try an experiment with this animal the Pro- 

 vincial had one oi them brought to the Jesuit's 

 College at Carthagcna. He put a long pole under 

 its feet, which it seized very liimly, and would- not 

 let go again. The animal, therefore, thus volun- 

 tarily suspended, was placed betvveen two beams, 

 where it remained w ithout food for forty days, its 

 eyes being always fixed on those who looked at 

 it, who v^ere so affected that they could not forbear 

 pitying its dejected state. At length, being taken 

 down, a dog was let loose on it, this, after a 

 while, the Sloth seized in its claws, and held till 

 both died of hunger*. — Linnaeus also says of it, 

 " that its cry is horrible, and its tears piteous -j-." 



In ascending the trees this animal carelessly 

 stretches one of its four-paws, and fixes its long 

 claw as high as it can reach. It then heavily raises 

 the body, and gradually fixes the oth.er paw : and 

 in this manner continues to climb, every motion 

 being incredibly slow and languid. When the 

 Sloth once gets into a tree, we are told that it will not 

 descend while a leaf or bud is remaining ; and it is 

 added, that in order to save the slow and laborious 



* Musujgia, Tom. 1. lib. ii. c. 6, t l^'nm. Guicl. i. oU 



