NATURAL HISTORY. 
8r 
and is without a tail ; the other, three claws 
on each foot, with a tail ; and are both de- 
fcribed under the common appellation of 
the floth. It is about the fiz.e of a badger, 
and has a coarfe fur, refembling dried grafs ; 
the tail is exceedingly fliort ; and the mouth 
extends from ear to ear. 'Fhe feet of this 
animal are fo obliquely placed, that the foies 
fearcedy ever touch the ground. The con- 
ftVuftion of its limbs is fo lingular, tliat it 
can move only at the rate of about three 
yards in an hour. Thus, unlefs impelled 
by hunger, it is fcldom induced to change 
its place. 
The floth inhabits many parts on the eaft- 
ern fide of South-America. It is t.he mean- 
eft, and molt ill-formed of animals. Leaves, 
and fruits of trees, are its chief food. It is 
a ruminating animal, for wdiich piirpofe na- 
ture has provided it with four ftomachs. 
Although it afeends a tree with great dif- 
ficulty. yet it cannot defeend w'ithout form- 
ing itfelf into a ball, and dropping from the 
branches to the ground, where the fliock 
•caufes it to remain for a conliderable time in 
a pcrfeift ftate of inaiftivity. To travel from 
one tree to another, at the diftance of one 
hundred yards, is, for this animal, a week’s 
journey. 
■ Every elKirt which the floth makes to 
ttiove, appears fo painful and iliflicult, as to 
oaule it to utter the moft pitiful cry ; which 
is likewile wifely given it for its proteftion ; 
for, 
