CLASS I. MAMMALIA: ORDER 8. EDENTATA. 
463 
so far from being a mere freak of nature, the Slotli is specially fitted for enjoying a particular 
mode of existence, and that it is most absurd to come to any conclusion with regard to the powers of 
any creature from seeing it in an unnatural position. The Sloths seldom, if ever, visit the ground 
in a state of nature, and indeed have no reason for doing so, for in the great forests of South 
America, which they exclusively inhabit, the trees grow so close together that these animals can 
pass with facility from one to another, especially when strong winds wave the branches of the 
trees and thus bring them into closer juxtaposition. 
Grenus CHOLEPTJS : Gholoeims. — Of this genus, to which Cuvier gives the name of Tardi- 
grada^ there is a single species, the C. didactylus — the Unau of Bufton. The body of this is 
about two feet long ; its head is large, its hair long and dry, and of a grayish-brown ; the nostrils 
are circular. It uses three hands to hold on to the trees ; the fourth it employs in seizing and 
bringing to its mouth such objects as it desires. It does not see well in the day, and remains a 
great part of the time hanging to the branches of trees, asleep. Mr. Waterton, in his " Wander- 
ings" in South America, says, "The Sloth, in its wild state, spends its whole life in the trees, and 
never leaves them but through force or accident; and what is more extraordinary, not upon the 
branches, like the squirrel and monkey, but under them. He moves suspended from the branch, 
he rests suspended from the branch, and he sleeps suspended from the branch. Hence his seem- 
ingly bungled composition is at once accounted for ; and in lieu of the Sloth leading a painful 
life, and entailing a melancholy existence upon its progeny, it is but fair to conclude that it just 
enjoys life as much as any other animal, and that its extraordinary formation and singular habits 
are but further proofs to engage us to admire the Avonderful works of Omnipotence." ISTor are 
the motions of this animal so slow while suspended in this strange position, nor his habitat so cir- 
cumscribed as naturalists have hitherto imagined. " The Indians," continues Mr. Waterton, "have 
a saying that when the wind blows the Sloths begin to travel." In fact, during calm weather they 
remain tranquil, probably not liking to cling to the brittle extremities of the branches, lest they 
should break while the animals are passing from one tree to another ; but as soon as the wind 
rises the branches of the neighboring trees become interwoven, and then the Sloth seizes hold of 
them and pursues his journey in safety. Species of this animal, which is found in Brazil and 
Guiana, have been in the menageries of Paris and of the London Zoological Gardens. 
Genus BRADYPUS : Bradypus. — Of this there are several species : the Ai, B. tridactylus, is 
varied with whitish-gray on the back, the hair being long and shaggy, and of a texture resembling 
dry hay in appearance. This covering looks so like the rough bark of a tree, mingled with moss, 
that the creature often escapes being noticed by men and animals which pursue them. It feeds 
on leaves and brings forth one young at a time. When moving in the forests it utters a cry of 
