314 
the Rhinoceros, and even the Elephant. Europe maintained 
one species quite as large as the American Megatherium ; this is 
the Macrotherium of M. Lartet. 
The Edentata include five families of no great extent : the 
Sloths , Armadillos , Aard-vark , Ant-eaters , and Pangolins . 
The Sloth ( Tarcligrada , Guy.) Family. — The Sloths are a I 
strange kind of animal, which, from their more prominent 
characteristics and climbing habits, were for a long time classed 
among the Monkeys ; but a more attentive study of their habits 
has led to their being referred to the Order of Edentata. When 
they are examined on the ground they appear deformed, and, i 
as it were, incapable of active motion ; for on the surface of the ; 
earth they can only move with extreme slowness. This pecu- J 
liarity is the origin of their name. In fact, their fore-legs 
are so much longer than the hind ones, that in walking they 
are obliged to drag themselves along on their knees. Owing 
to the size of their pelvis and thighs, which turn outwards, 
they are unable to bring the knees together. Only the inner 
edge of their feet rest upon the ground ; and, lastly, their 
toes, the number of which never exceeds three, are enveloped 
in skin up to the very tips, and must be constantly kept in a 
state of mutual dependence with regard to motion. 
It will be readily understood that limbs thus formed are not 
well adapted for locomotion on the earth ; it is, indeed, difficult 
to form an idea of the awkwardness of a Sloth when placed upon 
the ground. But if we follow with our eye its motions on a tree, 
in the midst of those conditions of existence which are natural to 
it, the Sloth leaves on our mind a very different impression. We 
then recognise that there is in them no want of harmony, and 
that they, like every other creature, possess the means of pro- 
tecting themselves from the attacks of their enemies. They 
embrace the branches with their strong arms, and bury in the 
bark the enormous claws which terminate their four limbs. As 
the last joint of their toes is movable, they can bend them to 
a certain extent, and thus convert their claws into powerful 
hooks, which enable them to hang on trees. Hidden in the 
densest foliage, they browse at their ease on all that sur- 
rounds them ; or, firmly fixed by three of their legs, they avail 
