THE SLOTH. 
235 
against its enemies ; in the first place by giv- 
ing it such strength in its feet as to hold 
whatever it seizes so fast, that it can never 
extricate itself but must die of hunger ; and 
secondly, in having given it such an affecting 
countenance that, when it looks at any one 
who might be tempted to injure it, he can 
scarcely help being moved by compassion : it 
sheds tears also, and persuades you that a 
creature so abject and defenceless ought not 
to be tormented. 
By way of experiment one of these animals 
was brought to the Jesuits’ College at Cartha- 
gena. A long pole being put under his feet, 
he grasped it firmly, and would not loose it 
again. The sloth was therefore raised upon 
this pole, which was placed between two beams, 
where the animal remained suspended without 
food for forty days, the eyes being always 
fixed on those who looked at him, who were 
so affected that they could not forbear pitying 
