THE SLOTH. 415 



appear much too long, while its hind-legs, which are very short, 

 look as if they could be bent almost to the shape of a cork-screw. 

 Both fore and hind legs, by their form, and the manner in which 

 they are joined to the body, are incapable of acting in a perpen- 

 dicular direction, or in supporting its body. Hence its belly 

 touches the ground. Even could the animal thus raise itself, 

 it would be in pain, as it has no soles to its fore-feet, and its 

 claws are very sharp, long, and curved. Thus, were its body 

 supported by its feet, it would be on their extremities; just as 

 a man would be were he to go on all-fours, and try to support 

 his bod}' on the ends of his toes and fingers. " Were the 

 ground polished like glass," says Waterton, " the sloth would 

 actually bo quite stationary; but as it is generally rough, the 

 sloth moves its fore-legs in all directions, in order to find some- 

 thing to lay hold of ; and when it has succeeded, it pulls itself 

 forward, and is thus able to travel onwards, though in a slow and 

 awkward manner. Indeed, as its looks and gestures betoken 

 its uncomfortable situation, and as a sigh every now and then 

 escapes it, it may be concluded that it actually is in pain." 



Thus it is evident that the sloth is formed, not to live on 

 the ground, but in trees ; and on further observation it will 

 be seen that, unlike most other arborial animals, it lives, 

 not on the branches, but under them. It moves, suspended 

 from the branch ; it rests, suspended from the branch ; and 

 sleeps, suspended from the branch. " Hence its seemingly 

 bundled position is at once accounted for," adds Waterton ; 

 " and in lieu of the sloth leading a painful life, and entailing 

 a miserable existence on its progeny, it is but fair to conclude 

 that it enjoys life as much as any other animal, and that its extra- 

 ordinary formation and singular habits are but further proofs 

 to en<>-ao;e us to admire the wonderful works of Omni potence." 



