314 MAMMALIA. 



the Ehinoceros, and even the Elephant. Europe mamtained 

 one species quite as large as the American Megatherium ; this is 

 the Macrotlicrhtm of M. Lartet. 



The Edentata include five families of no great extent : the 

 Sloths, Armadillos, Aard-vark, Ant-eaters, and Pangolins. 



The Sloth {Tardigrada, Cuv.) Family. — The Sloths are a 

 strange kind of animal, which, from their more prominent 

 characteristics and climbing habits, were for a long time classed 

 among the Monkeys ; but a more attentive study of their habits 

 has led to their being referred to the Order of Edentata. When 

 they are examined on the ground they appear deformed, and, 

 as it were, incapable of active motion ; for on the surface of the 

 earth they can only move with extreme slowness. This pecu- 

 liarity is the origin of their name. In fact, their fore-legs 

 are so much longer than the hind ones, that in wal k i n g they 

 are obliged to drag themselves along on their knees. Owing 

 to the size of their pelvis and thighs, which turn outwards, 

 they are unable to bring the knees together. Only the inner 

 edge of their feet rest upon the ground ; and, lastly, their 

 toes, the number of which never exceeds three, are enveloped 

 in skin up to the very tips, and must be constantly kept in a 

 state of mutual dependence with regard to motion. 



It will be readily understood that limbs thus formed are not 

 well adapted for locomotion on the earth ; it is, indeed, difficult 

 to form an idea of the awkwardness of a Sloth when placed upon 

 the ground. But if we follow with our eye its motions on a tree, 

 in the midst of those conditions of existence which are natural to 

 it, the Sloth leaves on our mind a very different impression. We 

 then recognise that there is in them no want of harmony, and 

 that they, like every other creature, possess the means of pro- 

 tecting themselves from the attacks of their enemies. They 

 embrace the branches with their strong arms, and bury in the 

 bark the enormous claws which terminate their four limbs. As 

 the last joint of their toes is movable, they can bend them to 

 a certain extent, and thus convert their claws into powerful 

 hooks, which enable them to hang on trees. Hidden in the 

 densest foliage, they browse at their ease on all that sur- 

 rounds them ; or, firmly fixed by three of their legs, they avail 



