74 



A NEW HISTORY OF 



Far from stripping an entire tree of its leaves, in 

 order to satisfy the calls of hunger, I know by 

 actual observation, that the sloth merely takes a 

 mouthful or two of the foliage at a time, and then 

 moves onwards. Its falling from the tree, " like 

 an inanimate mass " is an imaginary speculation, 

 fit for the nursery fireside on a winter's evening. 



Fancy to yourself, a sloth falling souse to the 

 ground, from some lofty tree in the forest. If not 

 killed on the spot, most assuredly, it would be 

 in no trim to pursue its journey in quest of food. 

 A surgeon, or a nurse with a poultice, would be 

 required immediately : — but, alas, as I know too 

 well, these articles are not to be met with in the 

 far distant and immeasurable wilds where the sloth 

 takes up its abode. 



Let us hope that future writers, on the form and 

 economy of animals, will pause, and pause again, 

 before they send their labours to the press. 



" Nocturna versate maim, versate diurna." 



Whenever we inspect an animal, the formation of 

 which, puts us at defiance, we must not rely solely 

 upon conjecture. We may rest quite assured, that 

 every animal is perfect as far as regards the situa- 

 tion in which it has been placed by nature, and 

 the economy which it is destined to practice. 



