URSINE SLOTH. l6l 
somewhat elongated form; it also appears as if 
furnished with a sort of transverse joints or in- 
ternal cartilage;, which admits of a peculiar 
kind of motion in this part. The claws on 
the fore feet are five in number, and are exces- 
sively strong; moderately crooked, and sharp* 
pointed : those on the hind feet are shorter^, and 
of a rounder shape. The tail is very short, and 
inconspicuous. The animal, at the time this de- 
scription Avas drawn up, was thought to be some- 
what more than four years old. When first taken 
it is said to have been about the size of a raccoon, 
and to have sometimes barked in the manner of 
a dog. Its voice, however^, when examined as 
above, was a sort of short, abrupt roar, which it 
uttered when much disturbed or irritated. It was 
a gentle and good-natured animal ; it fed chiefly 
on vegetable substances and milk ; was fond of 
apples, and did not willingly eat animal food, ex- 
cept of a very tender nature, as marrow, which it 
readily sucked from a bone presented to it. It 
was also delighted with honey, sugar, and other 
sweets. Its motions were not, as in the two former 
species, slow and languid, but moderately lively ; 
and it appeared to have a habit of turning itself 
round and round every now and then, as if for 
amusement, in the manner of a dog when lying 
down to sleep. It was said to have a propensity 
to burrowing under the ground ; and it was added, 
that it had been dug out of its subterraneous re- 
treat by those who first discovered it. 
V. I. 11 . 
