SLOTH TRIBE. 83 
&nd botli together in such numbers, as to darken 
the air. 
SLOTH TRIBE. 
In this tribe there have been hitherto only three 
species discovered, two of which are found more 
commonly in South America than in any other 
parts of the world. Their motions are unparallel- 
ed for slowness in the rest of the animal creation. 
The feet are furnished with strong hooked claws 
to enable them to climb the trees, where their 
voracity leads them to devour both the leaves and 
fruit. Their eyes are languid and heavy, and 
their whole countenance expresses so much misery, 
that no one can look upon them without pity. 
Their teats are seated on the breasts ; and in two of 
the species it is a remarkable circumstance, that, 
instead of distinct excretory apertures, there is only 
one common canal, as in birds. 
The sloths have no cutting teeth in either jaw : 
the canine-teeth are obtuse ; and there are five 
grinders on each side. Their fore-legs are much 
longer than the hinder ones ; and the body is co- 
vered with hair, and not with scales, as in the 
armadillo, and some other animals of this order. 
Three-toed sloth. 
Of the three-toed sloth, which is a native of 
the hotter parts of South America, we have a very 
purious, though often-quoted account, written by 
