86 
THltEE-TCED SLOTS. 
Kircher, principally from the authority of a pro* 
vincial of the Jesuits, in South America, who had 
several of these animals in his possession, and tried 
many experiments with them relative to their nature 
and properties. Its figure is, (he says) extraordi- 
nary : it is about the size of a cat, has a very ugly 
countenance, and has its claws extended like fin* 
gers. It sweeps the ground with its belly, and 
moves so slowly, that it can scarcely go the length 
of a how-shot in fifteen days, though constantly in 
motion; hence it obtained the name of sloth. 
Nature has doubly guarded it against its enemies ; 
first, by giving it such strength in its feet, that 
whatever it seizes, is held so fast, that it will not 
suffer itself to be freed, but must die of hunger. 
Secondly, in having given it such an affecting 
countenance, that when it looks at any one who 
might be tempted to injure it, it is almost impos- 
sible not to he moved with compassion ; it also 
sheds tears, and upon the whole persuades one that 
a creature so defenceless and so abject ought not to 
be tormented. 
To try an experiment with this animal, the pro* 
vincial had one of them brought to the Jesuit’s 
College at Carthagena. He put a long pole under 
its feet, which it seized very firmly, and would not 
let go again. The animal, therefore, thus Volun- 
tarily suspended, was placed between two beams, 
where it remained without food for forty days, its 
•eyes being always fixed on those who looked at 
it, who were so affected that they could not forbear 
pitying its dejected state. At length, being taken 
down, a dog was let loose on it, this, after a 
while, the sloth seized in its claws, and held till 
both died of hunger. 
In ascending the trees, this animal carelessly 
stretches one of its fore paws, and fixes its long 
claw as high as it can reach. It then heavily raises 
