500 Observations on the Anatomy of the Sloth. 



to lose themselves in the depths of the forests. However this 

 may be, there can exist little doubt but that most of the errors 

 in the description of their habits, and the false inferences drawn 

 from what appears at first view a vicious organization, are to 

 be attributed to the erroneous notions which prevail, relative to 

 the true position of this animal in the scheme of nature, and the 

 part which it was intended to perform. 



Considered as a creature destined to pass nine tenths of its 

 existence on the trees of the deep-foliaged and endless forests 

 of the tropical climates, where it lives, breeds, moves, and has 

 its being ; we venture to assert, that no other animal is so per- 

 fectly adapted, by its peculiar organization, to such a mode of 

 life. But, on the other hand, viewed as a quadruped, formed 

 for progression on the ground, or on a flat surface, it must be 

 confessed, that the construction of its osseous frame, presents us 

 with an anomaly in nature unequalled ; an enigma insusceptible 

 of solution ; a machine, monstrous in all its proportions, without 

 apparent form, utility or intention. But of such an anomaly, 

 the whole creation does not furnish us with a single example to 

 interrupt that series of animated beings, where so much beauty 

 and order of arrangement are displayed, from the " worm that 

 revels in the dead man's socket," to the " lord of the lion heart 

 and eagle eye." All are equally perfected, and wonderfully 

 adapted to fulfil the purposes of their existence. 



To commence with the skeleton of the individual before us, it 

 is necessary to premise, that though it was nearly full grown, all 

 the parts are not completely ossified ; hence it may be inferred, 

 that such portions as are completely solid in this subject, will al- 

 ways be found so in all adult individuals, and some other portions 

 that are here cartilaginous, would have become ossified by age. 

 Referring to Baron Cuvier's description of the several skeletons 

 of the Sloth which he has examined, it will be perceived that the 

 same species differed among themselves in several important 

 particulars. One of his specimens possessed 16 ribs, of which 7 

 are false. Another, a younger subject, possessed 14 ribs, of 

 which 5 are false: (vid. Ossem. Foss. vol. v. pt. 1. p. 81.) Our 

 specimen possesses 15 ribs, 6 of which are false. The Baron 

 represents the Ai with 3 lumbar vertebra : ours possesses 4 : the 

 former has 11 caudal vertebra : the latter 10 : the former 6 false 

 vertebra of the sacrum : the latter 5. 



