Credit: © The Royal Society
Image number: RS.10007
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‘The Sloth’
Date
1758
Creator
George Edwards (1694 - 1773, British) , Ornithologist
Object type
Library reference
38029
Material
Technique
Dimensions
height (print): 288mm
width (print): 220mm
width (print): 220mm
Subject
Content object
Description
Zoological studies of a three-toed sloth from the family Bradypodidae, found in South America. The main image shows the animal squatting on a grass tussock, with details of the claws and a profile of the head
Plate 310 from chapter 100 of Gleanings of natural history, exhibiting figures of quadrupeds, birds, insects, plants, &c..., by George Edwards, volume 2 (London, for the author, 1760). The author describes the specimen within the text: “The Sloth is about the bigness of a large domestic Cat. The specimen from which I drew it was a stuffed skin, set up in the attitude represented by the figure. ..This animal was brought from Honduras in America, and I believe is found all over those parts of South America, that are not many degrees distant from the equinoctial line. It was the property of the late Lord Peter. ”
The plate is inscribed: “The SLOTH. Drawn and Etched after Nature, by George Edwards. October the 2d AD. 1758.”
Plate 310 from chapter 100 of Gleanings of natural history, exhibiting figures of quadrupeds, birds, insects, plants, &c..., by George Edwards, volume 2 (London, for the author, 1760). The author describes the specimen within the text: “The Sloth is about the bigness of a large domestic Cat. The specimen from which I drew it was a stuffed skin, set up in the attitude represented by the figure. ..This animal was brought from Honduras in America, and I believe is found all over those parts of South America, that are not many degrees distant from the equinoctial line. It was the property of the late Lord Peter. ”
The plate is inscribed: “The SLOTH. Drawn and Etched after Nature, by George Edwards. October the 2d AD. 1758.”
Associated place