SYSTEM OF NATURE. 
11 
earth : this is evidently the result of structure. “ The hind 
feet are articulated obliquely to the shank, and rest on their 
outer edge only.”—C. R. A. “The arms are much longer 
than the legs,” — C. R. A. — “ and the pelvis is so large, 
and the thighs so much inclined to the sides, that the 
knees cannot be approximated.”—C. R. A. If we compare 
the sloth as regards this resting on the outer edge of the 
foot only, and consequent difficulty of walking, this elon¬ 
gation of the arms and spreading of the knees, with the 
orang-otan, which is generally considered one of the most 
perfect monkeys, we cannot fail to observe a very striking 
similarity. The almost entire want of a tail, and the pe¬ 
culiar disposition of both the sloth and orang-otan to 
climb in a pendant position, with the back downwards, are 
also obvious points of similarity between these animals. 
2ndly. With regard to the brain : if its character be correct¬ 
ly stated as regards the sloth, there appears a great and irre- 
concileable difference. 3rdly. The structure of the arteries : 
it has been found by M. Carlisle “ that the arteries of the 
limbs commence by splitting into an infinity of ramifica¬ 
tions, which afterwards unite in one trunk, from which the 
usual branches proceed.”— C. R. A. This certainly would 
seem an almost insuperable objection to placing the sloth 
in the situation now proposed, were we not aware that 
“ M. Carlisle found at the base of the arteries of the limbs 
[in the loris or sloth-monkeys] the same ramifications as 
in the true sloths.”—C. R. A. A similar length of arms, 
awkwardness of gait, and want of tail, characterize both 
groups. The three groups thus briefly indicated, — the 
monkeys, lemurs and sloths, — together with man, their 
model and type, I suppose to constitute a superior group, 
somewhat corresponding to the Primates of Linneus: the 
