SOUTH AMERICA. 



169 



to rove in : go tliy ways up above, and enjoy thyself in Third 



Journey. 



these endless wilds ; it is more than probable thou wilt 



never have another interview with man. So fare thee 

 well." On saying this, I took up a long stick which was 

 lying there, held it for him to hook on, and then conveyed 

 him to a high and stately Mora. He ascended with won- 

 derful rapidity, and in about a minute he was almost 

 at the top of the tree. He now went off in a side direc- 

 tion, and caught hold of the branch of a neighbouring 

 tree ; he then proceeded towards the heart of the forest. 

 I stood looking on, lost in amazement at his singular mode 

 of progress. I followed hiin with my eye till the inter- 

 vening branches closed in betwixt us ; and then I lost 

 sight for ever of the two-toed Sloth. I was going to add, 

 that I never saw a Sloth take to his heels in such earnest ; 

 but the expression will not do, for the Sloth has no 

 heels. 



That which naturalists have advanced of his being so 

 tenacious of life, is perfectly true. I saw the heart of 

 one beat for half an hour after it was taken out of the 

 body. The wourali poison seems to be the only thing 

 that will kill it quickly. On reference to a former part 

 of these wanderings, it will be seen that a poisoned arrow 

 killed the Sloth in about ten minutes. 



So much for this harmless, unoffending animal. He 

 holds a conspicuous place in the catalogue of the animals 

 of the new world. Though naturalists have made no 



z 



