16 MONKEYS OF AMERICA-THE SAGOINS. The SAGOINS comprehend several groups of American monkeys, which, although differing from each other in many points, agree in this; that the tail (unlike that of the preceding genera) is altogether incapable of grasping. In habits and disposition they are irritable, but lively, and very timid; and their actions bear more resemblance to those of squirrels than of monkeys. Light, airy, and graceful, they are by far the most beautiful of their race; they are favourites in captivity, and much valued even in their own country. They live in troops among the branches: fruit, eggs, young birds, and especially insects, constitute a principal part of their food. The SQUIRREL MONKEY, or Saimiri of Buffon, (Callithrix sciureus,) is beautiful little animal, which we give as an example of the genus Callithrix, having, as the distinguished characters, a rounded form of head, short muzzle, very large ears, and tail covered with hair. The native country of the Squirrel Monkey is Brazil, Cayenne, etc. It is a gentle, lively, little animal; measuring about a foot in length, and of an olive grey colour on the body; the face is black; the fore-arms and the legs a fine orange red; the four hands are formed with great exactness, the nails of the thumbs being large and flat, and those of the fingers straight; it is, however, in the hind feet only that the thumb is opposable to the fingers. Although the tail is not prehensile, and never used for the purpose of handling, yet, according to an account of this animal by M. F. Cuvier, it would seem to be habitually employed to wind round objects, if not for the purpose of adding to security by a firm grasp, at least of acting as a feeler or support. The Sairimi may, therefore, be regarded as forming a link between this and the preceding division; proving, among many other evidences, that in the chain of nature there is no disruption, but that all is harmony and order; the link that succeeds differing from that above by imperceptible shades, which become stronger and stronger as we pass along the series of concatenations; so that, however dissimilar the links at a distance from each other may be, there will exist a middle point between them where they blend in unison. To our description of the present animal we may add, that it is accustomed to sleep in a sitting posture, with the head bent over between the legs; and that its cry is a kind of hissing sound, or slender whistle, repeated three or four times, and expressive of impatience or anger. The SAKIS form another genus of the Sagoins, characterized not only by the rounded form of the head, but by the bushy fox-like tail. Among the most remarkable is that called by M. Humboldt the ORONOCO CAPUCHIN, or Hand-drinker, (Pithecia cheiropotes,) a species distinguished by two distinct tufts, formed by the parting of the hair above the eyes, and by the long black beard of crisped hair which rises below the ears and hangs over the chest. The canine teeth are of enormous length and size; the nostrils far apart; the eyes large and deeply seated; the nails bent, with the exception of that on the thumb, which is flat and round; the tail is very bushy; its fur is of a reddish chestnut colour. The expression [QUADRUMANA. of its countenance is that of melancholy mixed with ferocity; and its character, according to the accounts received, for it has never been brought alive to Europe, is in accordance with its aspect. Fierce, wild, and active, it is impatient of confinement; and, unlike the Sagoins in general, will make a furious assault when irritated; at the same time manifesting its displeasure by rubbing its beard violently, and grinding its teeth in a manner too expressive to be misunderstood. A singular circumstance connected with this animal is its manner of taking liquids, so different from that of other monkeys, and from which its appellation it derived. It seldom drinks; but when it does, instead of applying its lips to the liquid, or to the vessel containing it, the liquid is taken into the hollow of the hand, and conveyed thus to the mouth, while the head is inclined on one shoulder. It appears to have a great aversion to the beard being wetted. The present species is one of the very few of this order which choose a solitary life: instead of congregating in troops, it lives in pairs only, and is very shy and retiring. The CACAJAO, (Pithecia melanocephala,) a species found on the banks of the Cassiquiaire and Rio Negro, belongs to the present genus, and is distinguished by its brown fur, short tail, and black head. It appears to be a weak, inactive, but docile little animal, much annoyed by the petulance of other monkeys, which disturbs the natural quiet of its disposition; and when at length irritated, which is but seldom, the feeling is displayed by a ludicrous distorted expression of countenance like a convulsive laugh. It has none of the active dexterity of its order, but is altogether awkward and inanimate. Another of this genus is the WIDOW MONKEY, black and white, which its natural dress displays. (Pithecia lugens,) so called from the contrast of Its colour is uniformly black, with the exception of the fore-hands, face, and neck, which are whitish; the face being surrounded with a narrow belt of purer white: hence the creoles of South America say that it wears the veil, kerchief, and gloves of widowhood, according to the custom there. It is a pretty, lively, and gentle animal; but, like the cat, conceals beneath a promising exterior a fierce spirit and carnivorous the capture of which it exhibits the mixture of appetite, small birds being its favourite food, in sly cunning, address, and activity, which so much characterize that animal. Of other monkeys it appears to stand in great fear. Of all this numerous race the OUISTITIS (Jacchus) constitute the most interesting genus. Squirrel-like in their habits and manners, they are active and lively, although timid, and extremely delicate. Natives of the warm regions of South America, they will not bear the cold of our climate without the utmost care, requiring an even temperature to be perpetually maintained. The species most commonly seen in captivity in England is the STRIATED OUISTITI, or Marmozeet, (Jacchus vulgaris,) a pretty little creature, with a tail ringed alternately brown and QUADRUMANA.] THE TITI-THE MARIKINA-LEMURS. white, a grey body, and two large tufts of white hairs standing out before the ears. Although so sensible of cold, several instances are known of its having produced young in captivity. M. F. Cuvier gives an account of one in the menagerie at Paris, which in April, 1819, had three young ones at a birth; and a pair in the Zoological Gardens bred during the year 1832, producing twins, but which soon died, apparently from deficiency of nutriment on the part of the mother. If a judgment may be formed from the specimens referred to in the Zoological Gardens, the Ouistiti does not seem a very intelligent little animal, as these manifest none of that restless curiosity and archness so characteristic of the race instead of courting the attention of visitors as the rest, they seem annoyed by their presence, and glad to escape from their curiosity. keep themselves warm, as well perhaps as to screen themselves from observation, they will crouch together in the cage, covering themselves with wool or soft materials, and peep out with a timid air, but never make any advances towards familiarity. Their voice is a sharp whistling cry, repeated when irritated or alarmed. To In the first number of the Magazine of Natural History, we are favoured with a notice of one of these animals, procured in Brazil, which, with its timidity, manifested a fierce and wild spirit, "screeching most vehemently when any one dared to approach it;" and "it was long before it was so reconciled, even to those who fed it, as to allow the slightest liberty;" the most gentle attempt exciting its anger. "Its sense of hearing appeared to be exceedingly acute, so that the slightest whisper was sure to arouse it." Its favourite food on board was cockroaches, of which it "would eat a score of the largest kind, and a great number of the smaller ones, three or four times a day," rejecting the wing-cases and legs. In addition to these, the diet was fruit, milk and bread, etc. We may here observe, that insects seem a favourite food with all monkeys, but especially with those from South America, which, as we have often seen, will hunt for them with amusing eagerness. To this genus belongs the TITI of the Oronoco, a beautiful little animal, scarcely a foot in length, with the fur of a golden yellow, exhaling a faint odour of musk. In its movements it is light, airy, and graceful; in its manners gentle and inoffensive. A stranger to irritation or anger, its countenance expresses tranquillity and gladness. It is said to have a singular habit of watching the lips of a person while speaking, which, if allowed to sit on the shoulder, it will frequently touch. Peculiarly susceptible of changes of temperature, even in its own climate, it can ill bear our northern regions. In its native woods, during cold or damp weather, it assembles in clusters on a branch or tree, all crowding closely together, and embracing each other with their arms and tails, so as to secure as much warmth as possible. We may also here notice the MARIKINA, or Silky Monkey, a beautiful and delicate little animal, and, like the rest of the Ouistitis, difficult 17 to preserve alive in a climate like ours. In its own country, South America, the Marikina is kept as a pet by the ladies, and highly esteemed for its elegance and docility. Neatness and cleanliness to a fastidious degree are said to be characteristic traits in its disposition; the slightest degree of dirt annoying it so greatly as to produce melancholy, loss of appetite, and death. It is also impatient of solitude, and pines if deprived of companions of its own species; it is therefore usual to keep the Marikina in pairs, as the most certain means of preserving it, not only in health, but in cheerfulness and comfort. The colour of the fur is a golden red. The length of this species is about a foot, exclusive of the tail, which is equal to the body. Although the hands are used in handling, there is no distinct thumb; in fact, the actions of this animal, as of all of its genus, have a close resemblance to those of squirrels. Leaving the monkeys, we pass, by a very natural transition, to a singular race, which form the ultimate grade of the quadrumanous animals, connecting them to the genuine quadrupeds. They are known by the appellation of Lemurs, a name which, in consequence of their generally nocturnal habits, was given them by Linnæus, in reference to Roman mythology, lemures signifying ghosts. The Lemurs are all natives of Madagascar, in which they occupy the station of monkeys in other parts of the world; for it is not a little singular, that in this island, so adjacent to Africa, so wooded, and apparently so favourable in temperature for being a chosen locality, not a single species of the tribe exists. Their place, however, as we have said, is occupied by the Lemurs, which are indigenous to this island, having never been themselves discovered elsewhere. It is here worthy of observation, that the laws by which the distribution of animals is regulated are still enveloped in much mystery. For instance, to elucidate our meaning, let us take a survey of India and the islands of the Indian Archipelago; how thronged do we find the woods and jungles with deer, and buffaloes, and zebus, the tiger, the lion, and the panther, with the orang-outan, gibbons, and monkeys innumerable. Borneo, Java, Sumatra, and the surrounding smaller isles, are all replete with these or allied species; but pass on to Australia, a new race presents itself; a race differing most widely from the races of India and her islands, not only in species, but in genus and order. With the exception of the wild dog, which is with reason supposed to be an introduction, and that of a comparatively late period, there is no quadruped there at all resembling those of the nearest continent. In the woods are phalanders and opossums; on the plains kangaroos; in the morasses, ornithorynchi; but the deer, the tiger, and the wild ox do not exist. Temperature will not account for facts like these, for in the mountains of India deer and tigers abound along the borders of the line of snow. But thus it is that we are daily taught our own ignorance, and that we know even in nature but a part of His ways. "Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? or canst thou mark when the hinds do calve?" "Who hath sent out the wild ass с 18 LEMURS-RED LEMUR-RUFFED LEMUR. free? or who hath loosed the bands of the wild ass ?" [QUADRUMANA. sphere much better than the monkey race; and with warmth and cleanliness will live in health and comfort. Dirt and wet not only annoy them, but produce disease and death. When suffered to run about a room, (and it is a pity to confine them,) they are very amusing; it is then only that they display the native ease and sweeping To return. The Lemurs are a race by no means remarkable for intelligence: their disposition, however, is gentle, and their habits active; but they manifest neither the sprightly vivacity, nor the cunning, nor the curiosity of the monkeys; to which, although quadrumanous, (four-grace of their leaps; and as they are perfectly handed,) they bear but a distant resemblance in form. Their muzzle is in general long and pointed; their fur woolly; the thumbs both on the anterior and posterior limbs are well developed, and antagonise with the fingers, but those of the posterior are large, and remarkably expanded at the tips; the nails at the extremities of the fingers are flat, excepting on the first finger of each of the hinder limbs, where they are long, raised, and pointed. Their teeth exhibit the indications of sharp tubercles fitting into each other when the jaws are closed, as is characteristic of insectivorous quadrupeds. The true Lemurs have six slender incisor teeth below, set close together, and projecting forwards, of which the outermost-on each side is regarded by some naturalists as a canine; four above, straight, and the intermediate ones separated one from the other; the canine teeth above are long, pointed, and cutting on their posterior edge: the molar teeth are six on each side in both jaws. gentle, and have no love of mischief to gratify, they may be allowed their liberty so far with safety. One of their favourite situations is the edge of the fender, on which they will rest, spreading out their hands before the fire, half closing the eyes, and luxuriating in the genial glow. Their temper is placid; but it sometimes happens, that two fellow prisoners cannot agree; and we have seen them pursue each other evidently with the intention of biting; indeed, they have been known to fight with fury. The noise which the Lemur makes when alarmed, or suddenly startled, is very singular; it is a sort of braying, or roar of interrupted hoarse sounds, ending abruptly. As we have only seen these animals in a state of captivity, and know little of them in their native forests, we cannot speak with certainty as to their natural food: we believe it to be fruits, eggs, and small animals, as young birds and insects. In Among these singular and imperfectly known animals there is but little difference, except as it In their general size, although a little difference regards colour; the habits, manners, and general in this point exists among the species, the Lemurs figure of every species being the same. In equal a large cat; but their hinder limbs are captivity they can hardly be said to exhibit any much longer, and the body more tapering. The marks of attachment to the person most familiar eyes are full, the pupils round, the irides bright to them; but, on the other hand, they are gentle hazel, more or less inclining to orange. to strangers, not easily irritated, and seldom bite; confinement blindness is a common occurrence. when they do, the wound from the length and The species are numerous; and it would seem cutting edge of the canine teeth is very serious. that in Madagascar the term Mongous is apTheir habits are evidently nocturnal; during the plied indiscriminately to all those whose colour greatest part of the day they rest dozing on their is of a uniform brownish grey: and the name of perch, and, if two are together, they embrace Mococo to that species distinguished by the tail each other with their arms and long tails, twist- being ringed with alternate black and white. ing the latter between the legs, and then coiling it A common appellation to the whole race is that round the body, at the same time that the head of Madagascar Cats. is bent down between the arms, so that they present the appearance of a single woolly animal rolled up like a ball. As twilight comes on they begin to be more alert, springing lightly and actively about their cage, and from perch to perch, uttering a peculiar grunt of pleasure and satisfaction. At this time they seem most desirous of food; this, which in confinement is usually bread and various fruits, they take in their hands like a monkey, but without raising themselves up or resting on the haunches. They are essentially climbing animals, and their activity is very great they will traverse a tree with prodigious bounds, and pass from one to another with surprising rapidity. Although capable of twisting their tail round objects, and thereby evidently adding to their security while perched aloft, they do not use it as a fifth hand, or true organ of grasping, like the monkeys of America; and it is uniformly covered with long soft fur: it adds greatly to their elegance and the tout ensemble of their figure. Notwithstanding the delicacy of their constitution, and the temperature of their native climate, they endure the changes of our atmo The RED LEMUR is one of the largest of the genus, but appears to bear our climate less easily than the others. Its fur is of a deep rich chestnut; the under parts and tail are however black, as are also the face and four hands. It is easily tamed, and is very gentle; but passive and indolent, sleeping during the day in a coiled posture, which if disturbed from it for a short time, it soon reassumes. The Mococo, or RING-TAILED LEMUR, is a much more lively animal; it is fond of being noticed, and is very playful. The uniform colour of the fur is a dark grey, becoming paler beneath; the tail, which is its characteristic ornament, is marked, as we have noticed, with alternate rings of black and white. But the most striking and elegant of its race is the RUFFED LEMUR, or Le Vari; of which we have given a faithful portrait. (See Engraving, No. 7.) This species exceeds the others in size, and its voice is louder and more hoarse; its fur is varied with pure white and black in nearly equal proportions, subject however to individual differences; but the four hands are always black; and a full white ruff, or tuft, surrounds the face. In its | habits and disposition it is similar to its congeners. Closing the series of quadrumanous animals are several genera which have been confounded by earlier writers with that of the true Lemurs; but from which they are now rightly separated, not only because they differ as it respects the countries they inhabit, but because they exhibit marked generic characteristics. They are nocturnal animals, pursuing their food, which consists of insects and small animals, solely during the night. Their eyes are extremely large, and adapted to their habits. The day is passed in profound sleep, from which they rouse as the dusk comes on, to begin to search for their prey The genus termed LORIS, Geoff, or STENOPS, Ill. (Erevoc, contracted, and "Q4, countenance,) which is characterized by shortness of muzzle, want of tail, and roughness of tongue, includes, among a few other species, that very singular animal the LORI, or Slow Lemur, a native of Bengal, where it is called in Malay the Poucan. Of all animals the Lori is one of the most slow and indolent, creeping along with an air of difficulty and constraint. It seems, however, not altogether devoid of intelligence, and may be partially tamed. D'Obsonville, who kept one in his possession, says, that "at the approach of night it would rub its eyes, then, looking attentively on all sides, would walk over the furniture, or, rather, over the cords which I had disposed for that purpose. Milk and very ripe fruits were not disagreeable to it; but its chief food consisted of insects or small birds. If it perceived any thing of this kind, which I used to amuse myself by placing at the extremity of the room, it would approach with a lengthened circumspect pace, like one who was groping his way in the dark. Arrived within about a foot of its prey, it would stop, then raising itself upright, would advance in that posture, stretching out its arms gently, and would suddenly seize the object, which it instantly strangled." In size the slow Lori is equal to a lemur, being fifteen or sixteen inches in length; its fur is short, and of a yellowish grey, with a brown stripe along the back. The GALLAGOs form another singular tribe of animals, and are peculiar to Africa. Their habits are nocturnal; their eyes large; and their food insects and birds. Their hinder limbs are very long; their tail long and tufted; and they jump with extreme agility. The ear is large, membranous, and naked; and its powers are highly acute. According to Adamson, their manners are those of monkeys and squirrels, perching among the foliage of trees, where they pursue their insect food, which they take with the hand. They make their nests like squirrels in the branches of trees, and cover a bed of grass and leaves for their little ones. With the natives of Senegal they are an article of food: they abound in the gum-tree forests of the deserts of Sahara, and are caught by the Moors, and brought to Europeans on the coast for sale. They are there called "the animals of the gum." When sleeping, the Gallago closes its ears, by folding down the external membrane, but opens them on the slightest noise. It is a pretty, gentle 19 animal; the length of the body is about seven inches, that of the tail nine. We here close our sketch of this order, having traced it receding from the orang by successive steps, until those prominent features which marked it at its outset become softened down as it were in the distance. But in tracing it thus step by step we have only done half our work, if we have forgotten Him whose mighty wisdom conceived the plan, and bade all spring into life out of nothing; all the harmonies of nature; all the accordances of being; and those endless grades which constitute a chain, returning as a circle into itself, and forming one great whole. "These are thy works, Parent of good!" But these are not all his works in which we are interested; in the plan of redemption God not only displays his wisdom and power, but his love and mercy. this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him," 1 John iv. 9. Reader, think on this God of power and love, and then on yourself, "What is man that Thou art mindful of him? and the son of man that Thou visitest him?" ORDER III.-CARNIVORA. "In Extremities four: neither in this nor in the succeeding orders is there a thumb free and antagonising with fingers, and consequently no true hands; teeth of three kinds. THE third order of Mammalia, is that comprehending the CARNASSIERS, (Carnivora,) or animals whose appetite is more or less exclusively carnivorous. The great tribes into which this order is divided differ considerably in their habits and manners, and present a group much less united by similitude, much less bound together by strongly marked features pervading every subdivision, than we have found obtaining among the previous quadrumanous order. Some, like the bird, are expressly formed for flight, while, on the contrary, others tenant the sea, and prey upon the finny tribes of the waters. Although the circumstance of living upon the flesh of other animals is one of the chief peculiarities of this order, and one from which it derives its generic title, still it must be taken to a certain degree in a limited sense only; for, in one family at least, we find the diet to consist in a great measure of vegetable substances, to which flesh is only added occasionally. The differences in habits and structure which occur in this order prevent the possibility of arranging the genera in a line perfectly unbroken and uniform, but rather conduce to their distribution into families branching out from a common centre, and connected among themselves by various and multiform ties of relationship. We do not, however, mean to say by this observation, that there are no grounds which the order can occupy as a common restingplace: on the contrary, its title is established, and its boundaries are fixed by natural limits, which it is impossible to mistake. In defining the characters of this order we may state, that the teeth are always of three kinds, namely, incisores, or cutting teeth; canini, or canine teeth; and molares, or grinders. The incisores are generally small and feeble, while the molares are modified in form according to the predominating quality of the food, and the canine teeth are strong, firm, and well developed. The jaws are restricted to a scissor-like motion, the articulation being on the principle of a simple hinge, and not admitting of that grinding movement from side to side which we see in animals purely herbivorous. Of the senses, that of smell is the most acute, the organization for this purpose being peculiarly developed, a circumstance the reason of which is very evident, as many follow their prey by this faculty. The power of turning the fore-arm, although with less facility, is continued from the previous order; but there is no thumb, (a member from which so much advantage accrues,) and the feet, although divided, have little resemblance with those of the quadrumana. In the more typical order their construction is pre-eminently adapted for lacerating, while the fore-arm enjoys an according degree of liberty. Among the most singular of this order, and placed at its head, is a family called Cheiroptera, (xep, a hand, and πτερоν, a wing,) from a thin membranous expansion, which, extending down on each side, encloses the extremities, and, serving the office of wings, affords the power of flight. Our readers will easily perceive that we allude to the BATS, a numerous tribe, consisting of many genera, differing from each other in various particulars, but into the minutiae of which it is foreign to our design to enter. As generic characters, besides the possession of wings, we may add, that in each jaw there are two canine teeth, large and sharp, the incisores varying not only in number, but in relative proximity together, a circumstance which, connected with concomitant peculiarities, is one of the grounds of subsequent division. The Bats then are distinguished by membranous wings stretched over the limbs, of which the anterior as well as the fingers, excessively lengthened, serve the same office as the whalebone of a parasol or umbrella. These wings present an extent of surface much greater in proportion than obtains in birds; and, as the muscular powers for moving this apparatus are in due accordance, the flight of the animal is strong, rapid, and marked by sudden evolutions and turns, executed with astonishing celerity. The thumb, however, or rather that which we may so denominate, instead of being long and attenuated like the fingers, or enclosed in the membrane, is free, short, and armed with a strong hooked claw, by which the animal manages to crawl along the ground. The hind feet are feeble, divided into five toes, furnished with sharp-edged and pointed claws: the eyes are extremely small; but the external ears, which are membranous, are often large, and form, in conjunction with the wings, an extensive surface nearly naked, and endued with the most singular and exquisite degree of sensibility. This sensibility is, indeed, of such a nature as to endow the Bat with something like a new sense, which goes far to serve it in lieu of sight. From the [CARNIVORA. appreciation by this faculty of the modified impressions which the air produces, in consequence either of its currents, and their strength and direction, or its quiescence, or its temperature, or all conjoined, the Bat is capable of directing its course through the most intricate mazes, and in profound darkness, nay, even when deprived of sight altogether. Various experiments have at different times been tried in order to ascertain how far, and under what circumstances, this peculiar faculty or sense is called into operation; and it has been found that, though the eyes be sealed up, or even removed entirely, and the animal let loose in a room with a thousand intricacies and objects, it will pursue its abruptlywheeling flight as usual, threading every labyrinth, avoiding every obstacle, nor yet striking against the walls; and all this with the same ease, quickness, and precision, as would have been the case had the sight been ever so perfect. Of the many species inhabiting our climate, one or two, it has been suspected, are migratory; all are exquisitely susceptible of cold, and, in the northern parts of Europe at least, pass the winter in a state of lethargy, retiring as autumn gives token of a decrease of temperature, to their lurking places in old ruins and hollow trees, till the spring recalls them to activity. The Bat is a twilight rambler, remaining concealed during the day, but making its appearance as the dusk of evening advances, when it begins its flight in pursuit of moths and other insects, skimming the water like a swallow, darting through the sombre foliage of the trees, or wheeling round the barn, repeatedly uttering its sharp shrill cry of exultation or delight. During the fine calm evenings of summer, the activity of this little animal seems wound up to its highest pitch; then, occupied by the ardour of the chase, and heedless of every thing else, the mousing owl or insidious net too often prove its destruction. The majority of Bats live, as we have intimated, on insects; the intestinal canal is short, and of nearly equal diameter throughout; the incisores are lobular, the molar teeth bristling with points. Some confined to the hotter portions of the globe exhibit a fondness for blood, whence many wild and singular fables have arisen; but in others, on the contrary, as the Roussettes, (Pteropus,) the diet is chiefly fruit, while the teeth manifest a corresponding departure from that modification which may deemed characteristic or typical of the family; the incisor teeth being sharp-edged, and the molares having a flattened surface crossed by two longitudinal bands, which are raised by an intermediate groove. be Before proceeding to several interesting particulars respecting the Bats of our own country, and those far more extraordinary in size and habits which infest regions beneath a tropical sun, we would introduce the subject by remarking that the Bat, in general terms, is among the animals mentioned in the Holy Scriptures. The first notice we have of this singular creature is in Lev. xi. 19, and again in Deut. xiv. 18, where we find it among the articles prohibited from use as food. Subsequently we find a graphic allusion to its habits in Isa. ii. 18-20: "And the idols |