Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume XI.djvu/769

 MONKEY 751 like a large black spider, and it is commonly called spider monkey ; the tail is not only a fifth hand for purposes of progression, but an exquisite organ of touch. There are several Coaita (Ateles paniscus). species, which live in troops on the banks of .the Amazon and Orinoco. Lagoihrix (Geoffr.) differs from the last chiefly in the hands having a thumb and in the greater fineness of the hair ; the L. Humboldtii (Geoffr.) is grayish black, about 2 ft. long, with the prehensile tail longer than the body. In the genus cebus (Geoffr.) the head is rounded, and the long tail is hairy throughout and prehensile ; the monkeys of this genus are very active, excellent climbers, with well formed hands; they are small, mild and playful, and gregarious. The horned sapajou (C.fatuellus, Geoffr.) is blackish brown, with the face surrounded with whitish and the hair Capuchin Monkey (Cebus capucinus). of the forehead rising in two lengthened tufts above the eyes. The capuchin monkey (C. ca- pucinus, Erxl.) varies from grayish white to olive, with a black crown like a monk's cap. 569 VOL. xi. 48 There are several other species, all lively and mild, inhabiting Guiana. In the genera hitherto mentioned, the nails are flattened and rounded ; in the next three they more resemble claws, and the animals included in them have more car- nivorous propensities, eating meat, insects, and small birds which they seize. In callitJirix or tee-tees (Geoffr.), of which the type is the siamiri or squirrel monkey ( C. sciureus, Geoffr.), the ears are proportionately large, the body slender, the tail longer than the body, en- tirely hairy, and not prehensile; the color is grayish brown, lighter beneath, with reddish limbs and black muzzle ; the body is 7 or 8 in. longhand the tail 10 or 12. Other species are described, all active and beautiful, with carniv- orous propensities; they inhabit principally Brazil and Guiana. In aotes (Humb. ; nycti- pithecus, Spix) the two middle uppef incisors are broad, and the canines moderate ; the eyes large ; hind feet longest ; tail longer than the body, not prehensile; nocturnal in its habits, Cacajao (Pithecia melanocephala). living in pairs, resembling the lemurs of South Africa. (See DOUROUCOUU.) The last genus of the American monkeys which need be men- tioned is pithecia (Desm.), characterized by a round head, short muzzle, long canines, tail generally shorter than the body, entirely hairy, and not prehensile; they are nocturnal and gregarious, greatly resembling human pigmies, and said to be active, strong, and almost un- tamable. The couxio or black saki (P. satanas, BLumb.) is dusky black, with a purplish tinge Beneath, and with the tail is about 2f ft. long. The monk saki (P. cMropotes, Humb.) is brown- sh red, and of all the American species bears iholy, the chin is covered with a thick beard, and the eyes are large and sunken ; it is said to drink from the hollow of the hand, and to be ery careful not to wet its beard. The cacajao or black-headed saki (P. melanocephala, Desm.)
 * he closest resemblance in its features to man ;.
 * he expression of the face is fierce and melan-