HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



The SLOTH, 



OF all animals, is the mo ft fluggifli and inadUve ; 

 and, if we Were to judge from outward appear- 

 ance, would feem the mod helplefs and wretched. All 

 its motions feem to be the efFetl: of the moll painful ex- 

 ertion, which hunger alone is capable of exciting. 



It lives chiefly in trees and having afcended one with 

 infinite labour and difficulty, it remains there till it has 

 entirely dripped it of all its verdure, fparing neither 

 fruit, bloflbm, nor leaf ; after which it is faid to devour 

 even the bark. Being unable to defcend, it throws itfelf 

 on the ground, and continues at the bottom of the tree 

 till hunger again compels it to renew its toils in fearch of 

 fubfiftence. 



Its motions are accompanied with a mo ft piteous and 

 lamentable cry, which terrifies even beafts of prey, and 

 proves its bed defence. 



Though flow, aukward, and almoft incapable of mo- 

 tion, the Sloth is drong, remarkably tenacious of life, 

 and capable of enduring a long abftinence from food. 

 "We are told of one that, having fadened itfelf by its feet 

 to a pole, remained in that fituation forty days without 

 the lead fudenance, — The drength in its legs and feet is 



