182 WANDERINGS IN 



Third different from all other animals. The Sloth has fom- feet, 



Journey. 



but never can use them, to support his body on the 



earth ; they want soles, which are a marked feature in 

 the feet of other animals. The Ant-bear has not a tooth 

 in his head, still he roves fearless on, in the same forests 

 with the Jaquar and Boa Constrictor. The Vampire 

 does not make use of his feet to walk, but to stretch a 

 membrane, which enables him to go up into an element 

 where no other quadruped is seen. The Armadillo has 

 only here and there a straggling hair, and has neither 

 fur, nor avooI, nor bristles, but in lieu of them has 

 received a movable shell, on which are scales very 

 much like those of fishes. The Tortoise is oviparous, 

 entirely without any appearance of hair, and is obliged 

 to accommodate itself to a shell which is quite hard and 

 inflexible, and in no point of view whatever, obedient to 

 the will or pleasure of the bearer. The egg of the Tor- 

 toise has a very hard shell, while that of the turtle is 

 quite soft. 



The Vanilla. In some parts of these forests I saw the Vanilla grow- 

 ing luxuriantly. It creeps up the trees to the height of 

 thirty or forty feet. I found it difficult to get a ripe pod 

 as the monkies are very fond of it, and generally took 

 care to get there before me. The pod hangs from the 

 tree in the shape of a little scabbard. Vayna is the 

 Spanish for a scabbard, and Vanilla for a little scabbard 

 Hence the name. 



