THREE-TOED SLOTH. 
87 
tlie body, and gradually fixes the other paw : and 
in this manner continues to climb, every motion 
being incredibly slow and languid. When the 
sloth once gets into the tree, we are told that it will 
not descend while a leaf or bud is remaining ; and 
it is added, that in order to save the slow and labo- 
rious descent which it would otherwise be obliged 
to make, it suffers itself to fall to the ground, its 
tough skin, and thick, coarse hair, sufficiently 
securing it from any unpleasant effect in] its fall. 
Sometimes the sloths will suspend themselves by 
their claws from the branches of trees, and thus 
hanging, a branch may be cut off, and they will 
fall with it rather than quit their hold. One 
that was taken by some persons of the expedition 
under Woodes Rogers, was brought on board one 
of the vessels, and put down at the lower part of 
the mizen shrowds. It climbed to the mast-head ; 
occupying two hours in what a monkey would 
have performed in less than half a minute. It 
proceeded with a very slow and deliberate pace, 
as if all its movements had been directed by ma- 
chinery. 
These animals are always most active during the 
sight, at which time they utter their plaintive cry, 
ascending and descending in perfect tune, through 
the hexachord, or six successive musical intervals. 
"When the Spaniards first arrived in America, and 
heard this unusual noise, they fancied they were 
near some nation, the people of which had been 
instructed in our music. 
When kept in a house, the sloth never rests on 
the ground, but always climbs on some post or 
door to repose. If a poje is held out to it, when 
on the ground, it will immediately lay hold, and, 
if it is fixed, climb to the top, and firmly adhere 
to it. 
This singular animal has a small head, a naked 
V 
