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receive instructions. When all come together, one among the number takes the highest place on a tree, and makes a signal with his hand to the rest to sit round, in order to hearken. As soon as he sees them placed, he begins his discourse with so loud a voice, and yet in a manner so precipitate, that, to hear him at a distance, one would think the whole company were crying out at the same time: however, during that time, one only is speaking; and all the rest observe the most profound silence. When this has done, he makes a sign with the hand for the rest to reply; and at that instant they raise their voices together, until by another signal of the hand they are enjoined silence. This they as readily obey; till, at last, the whole assembly breaks up, after hearing a repetition of the same preachment."

The chief food of the monkey tribe is fruits, the buds of trees, or succulent roots and plants. They all, like man, seem fond of sweets; and particularly the pleasant juice of the palm-tree and the sugar-cane. With these the fertile regions in which they are bred seldom fail to supply them; but when it happens that these fail, or that more nourishing food becomes more agreeable, they eat insects and worms: and sometimes, if near the coasts, descend to the sea-shore, where they eat oysters, crabs, and shell-fish. Their manner of managing an oyster is extraordinary enough; but it is too well attested to fail of our assent. As the oysters in the tropical climates are generally larger than with us, the monkeys, when they go to the sea-side, pick up a stone, and clap it between the opening shells; this prevents them from closing; and the monkey then eats the fish at his ease. They often also draw crabs from the water, by putting their tail to the hole where that animal takes refuge, and, the crab fastening upon it, they withdraw it with a jerk, and thus pull their prey upon shore. This habit of laying traps for other animals makes them very cautious of being entrapped themselves; and I am assured, by many persons of credit, that no snare, how nicely baited soever, will take the monkey of the West Indian islands; for having been accustomed to the cunning of man, it opposes its natural distrust to human artifice.

The monkey generally brings forth one at a time, and sometimes two. They are rarely found to breed when brought over into Europe; but of those that do, they exhibit a very striking picture of parental affection. The male and female are never tired of fondling their young one. They instruct it with no little assiduity; and often severely correct it, if stubborn, or disinclined to profit by their example: they hand it from one to the other; and when the male has done showing his regard, the female takes her turn. When wild in the woods, the female, if she happens to have two, carries one on her back, and the other in her arms: that on her back clings very closely, clasping its hands round her neck, and its feet about her middle: when

she wants to suckle it, she then alters their position; and that which has been fed gives place to the other, which she takes in her arms. It often happens that she is unable to leap from one tree to another, when thus loaden; and upon such occasions their dexterity is very surprising. The whole family form a kind of chain, locking tail in tail, or hand in hand, and one of them holding the branch above, the rest swing down, balancing to and fro, like a pendulum, until the undermost is enabled to catch hold of the lower branches of some neighbouring tree. When the hold is fixed below, the monkey lets go that which was above, and thus comes undermost in turn; but, creeping up along the chain, attains the next branches, like the rest; and thus they all take possession of the tree, without ever coming to the ground.

When in a state of domestic tameness, those animals are very amusing, and often fill up a vacant hour, when other entertainment is wanting. There are few that are not acquainted with their various mimicries, and their capricious feats of activity. But it is generally in company with other animals of a more simple disposition, that their tricks and superior instincts are shown; they seem to take a delight in tormenting them; and I have seen one of them amusing itself for hours together imposing upon the gravity of a cat. Erasmus tells us of a large monkey, kept by Sir Thomas More, that, one day diverting itself in his garden, where some tame rabbits were kept, played several of his usual pranks among them, while the rabbits scarcely well knew what to make of their new acquaintance: in the mean time, a weasel, that came for very different purposes than those of entertainment, was seen peering about the place in which the rabbits were fed, and endeavouring to make its way, by removing a board that closed their hutch. While the monkey saw no danger, it continued a calm spectator of the enemy's efforts; but just when by long labour, the weasel had effected its purpose, and had removed the board, the monkey stept in, and, with the utmost dexterity, fastened it again in its place; and the disappointed weasel was too much fatigued to renew its operations. To this I will only add what Father Carli, in his history of Angola, assures us to be true. that horrid country, where he went to convert the savage natives to Christianity, and met with nothing but distress and disappointment; while his health was totally impaired by the raging heats of the climate, his patience exhausted by the obstinacy of the stupid natives, and his little provisions daily plundered without redress, in such an exigency he found more faithful services from the monkeys than the men; these he had taught to attend him, to guard him whilst sleeping, against thieves and rats, to comb his head, to fetch his water; and he asserts, that they were even more tractable than the human inhabitants of the place. It is indeed remarkable, that in

In

those countries where the men are most barbarous and stupid, the brutes are most active and sagacious. It is in the torrid tracts inhabited by barbarians, that such various animals are found with instinct so nearly approaching reason. The savages, both of Africa and America, accordingly suppose monkeys to be men: idle, slothful, rational beings; capable of speech and conversation; but obstinately dumb, for fear of being compelled to labour.

The third of the ancient continent is the MAI BROUK; 18 of which he supposes the monkey which he calls the BONET CHINOIS to be a variety. The one is remarkable for a long tail, and long beard; the other for a cap of hair that covers the crown of the head, from whence it takes the name. Both are natives of the East Indies; and the Bramins, who extend their charity to all the brute creation, have hospitals for such of them as happen to be sick, or otherwise disabled.

The fourth of this kind is the MANGABEY; it may be distinguished from all others by its eyelids, which are naked, and of a striking white

As of all savages, those of Africa are the most brutal, so, of all countries, the monkeys of Africa | are the most expert and entertaining. The monkeys of America are, in general, neither so saga-ness. It is a native of Madagascar.19 cious nor so tractable, nor is their form so nearly approaching that of man. The monkeys of the new continent may be very easily distinguished from those of the old, by three marks. Those of the ancient continent are universally found to have a naked callous substance behind, upon which they sit; which those of America are entirely without those also of the ancient continent have the nostrils differently formed, more resembling those of men, the holes opening downward: whereas the American monkeys have them opening on each side; those of the ancient world have pouches on each side the jaw, into which they put their provisions; which those of America are without lastly, none of the monkeys of the ancient continent hang by the tail, which many of the American sorts are known to do. By these marks the monkeys of either continent may be readily distinguished from each other, and prized accordingly. The African monkey, as I am assured, requires a longer education, and more correction, than that of America; but it is at last found capable of more various powers of imitation, and shows a greater degree of cunning and activity. Mr. Buffon, who has examined this race of imitative beings with greater accuracy than any other naturalist before him, makes but nine species of monkeys belonging to the ancient continent; and eleven belonging to the new. To all these he gives the names which they go by in their respective countries; which, undoubtedly, is the method least liable to error, and the most proper for imitation.

The fifth is the MONA, or the CEPHUS of the ancients: it is distinguished by its colour, which is variegated with black and red; and its tail is of an ash colour, with two white spots on each side at its insertion. It is a native of the northern parts of Africa.20

The sixth is the CALLITRIX, or GREEN MONKEY of St. Iago, distinguished by its beautiful green colour on the back, its white breast and belly, and its black face.21

The seventh is the MOUSTOC, or WHITE NOSE; distinguished by the whiteness of its lips, from whence it has received its name, the rest of the face being of a deep blue. It is a native of the Gold Coast, and a very beautiful little animal.

The eighth is the TALAPOIN; and may be distinguished as well by its beautiful variety of green, white, and yellow hair, as by that under the eyes being of a greater length than the rest. It is supposed to be a native of Africa and the East.

The ninth and last of the monkeys of the ancient continent, is the DOUC, so called in CochinChina, of which country it is a native. The douc seems to unite the characters of all the former together: with a long tail, like the monkey; of a size as large as the baboon; and with a flat face like the ape: it even resembles the American monkeys, in having no callosity on its posteriors. Thus it seems to form the shade by which the monkeys of one continent are linked with those of the other.

Next come the monkeys of the new continent; Of the monkeys of the ancient continent, the which, as has been said, differ from those of the first he describes is the MACAGUO; somewhat re-old, in the make of their nostrils, in their having sembling a baboon in'size, strength of body, and a hideous wrinkled visage: it differs, however, in having a very long tail, which is covered with tufted hair. It is a native of Congo.

The second is the PATAS, which is about the same size with the former; but differs in having a longer body, and a face less hideous: it is particularly remarkable for the colour of its hair, which is of a red, so brilliant, that the animal looks as if it were actually painted. It is usually brought from Senegal; and by some called the red African monkey.17

17 See Supplementary Note D, p. 493.

no callosity on their posteriors, and in their having no pouches on each side of the jaw. They differ also from each other, a part of them making no use of their tails to hang by; while others of them have the tail very strong and muscular, and serving by way of a fifth hand to hold by.22 Those with muscular holding tails, are called

18 See Ibid. 19 See Ibid. p. 494. 20 See Ibid. 21 As this monkey is found in Cape de Verd islands and the neighbouring parts of Africa, it is one of a species most frequently imported into Europe.-ED. 22 There are no apes or monkeys without a tail known in America, and but one species with a tail shorter than the body, which was lately discovered by Baron Humboldt.-ED.

SAPAJOUS; those with feeble useless tails, are called SAGOINS. Of the sapajous there are five sorts of the sagoins there are six.

The first of the sapajous is the WARINE, or the BRAZILIAN GUARIBA This monkey is as large as a fox, with long black hair, and remarkable for the loudness of its voice. It is the largest of the monkey kind to be found in America.

The second is the COATI; which may be distinguished from the rest by having no thumb, and consequently but four fingers on the two fore-paws. The tail, however, supplies the defects of the hand; and with this the animal slings itself from one tree to another, with surprising rapidity.

The third is the SAJOU; distinguished from the rest of the sapajous by its yellowish fleshcoloured face.

The fourth is the SAI. It is somewhat larger than the sajou, and has a broader muzzle. It is called also the BEWAILER, from its peculiar manner of lamenting when either threatened or beaten.

scarcely be led to suppose that it was natural.
I kept it a year; and it was still alive when I
made this description of it, almost within sight
of the coasts of France: all I could then do was
to preserve it in spirits of wine, which might |
serve to keep it in such a state as to show that
I did not in the least exaggerate in my descrip-
tion."

OF THE MAKI.

THE last of the monkey kind are the makies, which have no other pretensions to be placed in this class, except that of having hands like the former, and making use of them to climb trees, ! or to pluck their food. Animals of the hare kind, indeed, are often seen to feed themselves with their fore-paws, but they can hold nothing in one of them singly, and are obliged to take up whatever they eat in both at once: but it is otherwise with the maki; as well as the monkey kinds, they seize their food with one hand, pretty much like a man, and grasp it with great ease and firmness. The maki, therefore, from this conformation in its hands both before and be

The fifth and last of the sapajou kind, or monkeys that hold by the tail, is the SAMARI, or AURORA; which is the smallest and most beauti-hind, approaches nearly to the monkey kind; but ful of all. It is of a fine orange colour, with two circles of flesh round the eyes. It is a very tender, delicate animal, and held in high price.

Of the sagoins with feeble tails there are six kinds. The first and the largest is the SAKI, or CAGUI; so remarkable for the length of the hair on its tail, that it has been often termed the FoxTAILED MONKEY. It is of different sizes; some being twice as large as others.

The second of this kind is the TAMAIN; which is usually black, with the feet yellow. Some, however, are found all over brown, spotted with yellow.

The third is the WISTITI; remarkable for the large tufts of hair upon its face, and its annulated tail.23

The fourth is the MARIKINA; with a mane round the neck, and a bunch of hair at the end of the tail, like a lion.

The fifth is called the PINCH; with the face of a beautiful black, and white hair that descends on each side of the face, like that of man.

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The last, least, and most beautiful of all, is the MICO, an animal too curiously adorned not to demand a particular description; which is thus given of it by Mr. Condamine:-"That," says he, which the governor of Para made me a present of, was the only one of its kind that was seen in the country. The hair on its body was of a beautiful silver colour, brighter than that of the most venerable human hair; while the tail was of a deep brown, inclining to blackness. It had another singularity more remarkable than the former; its ears, its cheeks, and lips, were tinctured with so bright a vermilion, that one could

23 Sce Supplementary Note D, p. 494.

in other respects, such as the make of the snout, the form of the ears, and the parts that distinguish the sexes, it entirely differs from them. There are many different kinds of these animals; all varying from each other in colour or size, but agreeing in the human-like figure of their hands and feet, and in their long nose, which somewhat resembles that of a dog. As most of those are bred in the depths of the forest, we know little more concerning them than their figure. Their way of living, their power of pursuit and escape, can only be supposed, from the analogy of their conformation, somewhat to resemble those of the monkey.

The first of this kind is the мococo; a beautiful animal, about the size of a common cat, but the body and limbs slenderer, and of a longer make. It has a very long tail, at least double the length of its body; it is covered with fur, and marked alternately with broad rings of black and white. But what it is chiefly remarkable for, besides the form of its hands and feet, is the largeness of its eyes, which are surrounded with a broad black space; and the length of the hinder legs, which by far exceed those before. When it sleeps, it brings its nose to its belly, and its tail over its head. When it plays, it uses a sort of galloping, with its tail raised over its back, which keeps continually in motion. The head is covered with dark ash-coloured hair; the back and sides with a red ash-colour, and not so dark as on the head; and the whole glossy, soft, and delicate, smooth to the touch, and standing almost upright like the pile of velvet. It is a native of Madagascar ; appears to be a harmless gentle animal; and though it resembles the monkey in many respects, yet has neither its malice nor its mis

chief: nevertheless, like the monkey, it seems to | lively, and placed upright; the ears are long, be always in motion; and moves, like all fourhanded animals, in an oblique direction.

A second of this kind, which is also a native of Madagascar, is the MONGOZ; which is less than the former; with a soft glossy robe, but a little curled. The nose also is thicker than that of the mococo; the eyes are black, with orangecoloured circles round the pupil; and the tail is of one uniform colour. As to the rest, it is found of various colours; some being black, others brown; and its actions somewhat resemble those of a monkey.

The VARI is much larger than either of the former; its hair is much longer, and it has a kind of ruff round the neck, consisting of very long hair, by which it may be easily distinguished from the rest. It differs also in its disposition, which is fierce and savage; as also in the loudness of its voice, which somewhat resembles the roaring of the lion. This also is a native of Madagascar.

To this tribe we may refer a little four-handed animal, of the island of Ceylon, which Mr. Buffon calls the LORI; very remarkable for the singularity of its figure. This is, of all other animals, the longest in proportion to its size; having nine vertebræ in the loins; whereas other quadrupeds have only seven.24 The body appears still the longer by having no tail. In other respects, it resembles those of the maki kind; as well in its hands and feet, as in its snout, and in the glossy qualities of its hair. It is about the size of a squirrel; and appears to be a tame, harmless little animal.25

OF THE OPOSSUM, AND ITS KINDS.

To these four-handed animals of the ancient continent, we may add the four-handed animals of the new, that use their hands like the former, as well as their tails, and that fill up the chasm between the monkey tribe and the lower orders of the forest. As the maki kind in some measure seem to unite the fox and the monkey in their figure and size, so these seem to unite the monkey and the rat. They are all less than the former; they have long tails, almost bare of hair; and their fur, as well as their shape, seems to place them near the rat kind. Some have accordingly ranked them in that class; but their being fourhanded is a sufficient reason for placing them in the rear of the monkeys.

The first and the most remarkable of this tribe is the OPOSSUM, an animal found both in North and South America, of the size of a small cat. The head resembles that of a fox; it has fifty teeth in all, but two great ones in the midst like those of a rat. The eyes are little, round, clear,

24 Buffon, vol. xxvi. p. 274.

25 See Supplementary Note E, թ. 495.

broad, and transparent, like those of the rat kind; its tail also increases the similitude, being round, long, a little hairy in the beginning, but quite naked towards the end. The fore-legs are short, being about three inches long; while those behind are about four. The feet are like hands, each having five toes or fingers with white crooked nails, and rather longer behind than before. But it is particular in this animal, that the thumb on the hinder legs wants a nail; whereas the fingers are furnished with clawed nails as usual.

But that which distinguishes this animal from all others, and what has excited the wonder of mankind for more than two centuries, is the extraordinary conformation of its belly, as it is found to have a false womb, into which the young, when brought forth in the usual manner, creep, and continue for some days longer, to lodge and suckle securely.26 This bag, if we may so call it, being one of the most extraordinary things in natural history, requires a more minute description. Under the belly of the female is a kind of slit or opening, of about three inches long; this opening is composed of a skin, which makes a bag internally, that is covered on the inside with hair, and in this bag are the teats of the female; and into it the young, when brought forth, retire either to suckle or to escape from danger. This bag has a power of opening and shutting, at the will of the animal; and this is performed by means of several muscles, and two bones, that are fitted for this purpose, and that are peculiar to this animal only. These bones are placed before the os pubis, to which they are joined at the base; they are about two inches long, and grow smaller and smaller to their extremities. These support the muscles that serve to open the bag, and give them a fixture. To these muscles there are antagonists, that serve in the same manner to shut the bag; and this they perform so exactly, that in the living animal the opening can scarcely be discerned, except when the sides are forcibly drawn asunder. The inside of this bag is furnished with glands that exude a musky substance, which communicates to the flesh of the animal, and renders it unfit to be eaten. It is not to be supposed that this is the place where the young are conceived, as some have been led to imagine; for the opossum has another womb, like that of the generality of animals, in which generation is performed in the ordinary manner. The bag we have been describing may rather be considered as a supplemental womb. In the real womb, the little animal is partly brought to perfection: in the ordinary one, it receives a kind of additional incubation; and acquires, at last, strength enough to follow the dam wherever she goes. We have many reasons to suppose that the young of this

26 See Supplementary Note F, p. 495.

but it is a disagreeable domestic, as well from its stupidity and figure as its scent, which, however fragrant in small quantities, fails not to be ungrateful when copiously supplied.28

An animal greatly resembling the former,29 is the MARMOSE, which is found in the same continent. It seems only to differ in size, being less; and, instead of a bag to receive its young, has only two longitudinal folds near the thighs, within which the young, which are prematurely brought forth, as in the last instance, continue to suckle. The young of these, when first produced, are not above the size of a bean; but continue sticking to the teat until they have arrived at greater maturity.

animal are all brought forth prematurely, or be- | animal substances, roots, sugar-canes, the bark, fore they have acquired that degree of perfection and even the leaves of trees. It is easily tamed, which is common in other quadrupeds. The little ones, when first produced, are in a manner but half completed; and some travellers assert, that they are at that time not much larger than flies. We are assured also, that immediately on quitting the real womb they creep into the false one; where they continue fixed to the teat, until they have strength sufficient to venture once more into the open air, and share the fatigues of the parent. Ulloa assures us, that he has found five of these little creatures hidden in the belly of the dam three days after she was dead, still alive, and all clinging to the teat with great avidity. It is probable, therefore, that upon their first entering the false womb, they seldom stir out from thence; but when more advanced, they venture forth several times in the day, and at last seldom make use of their retreat, except in cases of necessity or danger. Travellers are not agreed in their accounts of the time which these animals take to continue in the false womb; some assure us they remain there for several weeks; and others, more precisely, mention a month. During this period of strange gestation there is no difficulty in opening the bag in which they are concealed; they may be reckoned, examined, and handled, without much inconvenience; for they keep fixed to the teat, and cling there as firm as if they made a part of the body of the animal that bears them. When they are grown stronger, they drop from the teat into the bag in which they are contained; and at last find their way out, in search of more copious subsistence. Still, however, the false belly serves them for a retreat, either when they want to sleep or to suckle, or when they are pursued by an enemy. The dam, on such occasions, opens her bag to receive them, which they enter,

Pars formidine turpi

Scandunt rursus equum et nota conduntur in alvo. The opossum, when on the ground, is a slow, helpless animal; the formation of its hands is alone sufficient to show its incapacity of running with any degree of swiftness; but, to counterbalance this inconvenience, it climbs trees with great ease and expedition.27 It chiefly subsists upon birds; and hides among the leaves of the trees to seize them by surprise. It often also hangs by the tail, which is long and muscular; and in this situation, for hours together, with the head downwards, it keeps watching for its prey. If any lesser animal, which it is able to overcome, passes underneath, it drops upon it with deadly aim, and quickly devours it. By means of its tail, the opossum also slings from one tree to another, hunts insects, escapes its pursuers, and provides for its safety. It seems to be a creature that lives upon vegetables, as well as

27 Buffon, vol. xxi. p. 174.

The CAYOPOLIN is somewhat larger than the former, and a good deal resembling it in habits and figure, except that its snout is more pointed, its tail longer in proportion, and its colour different, being of an ash, somewhat inclining to yellow; however, I should suppose it to be only a variety of the former.

To this number we may add the PHILANGER, so called by Mr. Buffon; a good deal resembling the former, but distinguished by the fashion of its hinder hands; the thumb and fore-finger being joined together, except at the extremities. This animal is about the size of a rat, and has, accordingly, by some, been called the rat of Surinam.

The last animal of this class is called, by Mr. Buffon, the TARSIER. This extraordinary little animal resembles the former, in having four hands and a long tail; but it differs very much in the extreme length of its hinder legs, which are longer than the rest of its whole body. The bones of that part of the foot called the tarsus, are likewise so very long, that from thence the animal has received its name: the tail is naked in the middle, and hairy only at both extremities; its hair is woolly, soft, and of a deep ashcolour. As to the rest, it is unknown from what country this animal was brought; but the naturalist from whom we have its description, supposes it to be a native of America.

From this general description of four-handed animals, we perceive what few advantages the brute creation derive from those organs, that, in man, are employed to so many great and useful purposes. The being able to pluck their food from the trees, the capacity of clinging among the branches, and at most of converting one of those branches into a weapon of offence, are the highest stretches of their sagacity, and the only use their hands have hitherto been employed in; and yet some superficial men have asserted, that

28 An animal nearly allied to the opossum is the kangaroo of New Holland, which will be found de scribed in a succeeding chapter.-ED. 29 Buffon, vol. xxi. p. 212.

30 See Supplementary Note G, p. 497.

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