lsome pace. When by any chance thus
seen, its arms appear much too long, while its hind-legs, which are very
short, look as if they could be bent almost to the shape of a
cork-screw. Both fore and hind-legs, by their form, and the manner in
which they are joined to the body, are incapable of acting in a
perpendicular direction, or in supporting its body. Hence its belly
touches the ground. Even could the animal thus raise itself, it would
be in pain, as it has no soles to its fore-feet, and its claws are very
sharp, long, and curved. Thus, were its body supported by its feet, it
would be on their extremities; just as a man would be were he to go on
all-fours, and try to support his body on the ends of his toes and
fingers. "Were the ground polished like glass," says Waterton, "the
sloth would actually be quite stationary; but as it is generally rough,
the sloth moves its fore-legs in all directions, in order to find
something to lay hold of; and when it has succeeded, it pulls itself
forward, and is thus able to travel onwards, though in a slow and
awkward manner. Indeed, as its looks and gestures betoken its
uncomfortable situation, and as a sigh every now and then escapes it, it
may be concluded that it actually is in pain."

Thus it is evident that the sloth is formed, not to live on the ground,
but in trees; and on further observation it will be seen that, unlike
most other arborial animals, it lives, not on the branches, but under
them. It moves, suspended from the branch; it rests, suspended from the
branch; and sleeps, suspended from the branch. "Hence its seemingly
bundled position is at once accounted for," adds Waterton; "and in lieu
of the sloth leading a painful life, and entailing a miserable existence
on its progeny, it is but fair to conclude that it enjoys life as much
as any other animal, and that its extraordinary formation and singular
habits are but further proofs to engage us to admire the wonderful works
of Omnipotence."

In proportion as the sloth's organisation unfits it for terrestrial
progression, it is wonderfully adapted for climbing trees. With its
long arms it reaches right up, and clings to the branches with its long
and crooked claws. It has thus the power of grasping a tree which no
other mammal possesses. It is indeed the best climber among mammals,
while it is the only mammal that can neither walk nor stand. When
sleeping, the sloth does not hang head downwards, like the