72 THE CHAMEGK. 



AMERICAN MONKEYS. 



WE have now taken a rapid survey of the varied forms which the Quadrumana of the 

 Old World assume ; forms so diversified that there hardly seems to be scope for further modi - 

 fications. Yet the prolific power of nature is so inexhaustible, that the depth of our researches 

 only brings to view objects of such infinite variety of shape that the mind is lost in wonder 

 and admiration. 



* Thus it is with the Cebidae, or American Monkeys. While preserving the chief charac- 

 teristics of the monkey nature, thus proving their close relationship with the Old World 

 monkeys, they exhibit the strangest modification of details. The four hand-like paws, and 

 other quadrumanous peculiarities, point out their position in the animal kingdom, while 

 sundry differences of form show that the animals are intended to pass their life under condi- 

 tions which would not suit the monkeys of the Old World. 



A view of the New World monkeys as contrasted with those of the Eastern Continent, 

 exhibits strongly marked characteristics that eminently fit them for the arboreal life they are 

 seen to enjoy. Some of the great Apes, notably the Orang, live habitually in trees, but they 

 are not adapted to traverse the tree-tops, and leap from limb to limb as do the monkeys of 

 the Western World. 



The peculiar habits of the latter are greatly promoted by the extreme slenderness of their 

 bodies and limbs, and by the singular function of the long tail. The terminal portion of that 

 member is bare and somewhat calloused, and possesses the power to clasp tightly around the 

 limbs of trees ; and so great is this power the creature easily swings off its whole weight, 

 thereby leaving the four limbs free for seizing on other points of advantage in its travels 

 through the tree-tops of the forest. 



The curiously shaped monkey which is represented in the following engraving, is an excel- 

 lent example of the Cebidse, or Sapajous, as they are often called. 



The name "Ateles," which is given to the entire genus to which this animal belongs, 

 signifies "imperfect," and has been applied to the creatures because the fore-paws are devoid 

 of useful thumbs. Sometimes that member is almost entirely absent, and in other instances 

 it only just shows itself. 



In the CHAMECK, the thumb is slightly projecting, but even in this case it has only a 

 single joint, and is not furnished with a nail after the usual custom of thumbs and fingers. 

 Even when the thumb reaches its greatest size, it cannot be used as the human thumb, as it is 

 not capable of being opposed to the fingers. 



The Chameck is a native of various parts of Brazil, where it is found rather profusely. 

 From all accounts, it seems to be a very gentle creature, and susceptible of a high amount of 

 cultivation. It does not appear to be so capricious of temper as the monkeys of the Old 

 World, and although playful when in the humor for sport, is not so spitefully tricky as its 

 transatlantic relatives. It soon learns to distinguish those persons who treat it with kindness, 

 and will often enter into playful mock combats, pretending to inflict severe injuries, but never 

 doing any real damage. 



It is not a very large animal, the length of its body being about twenty inches, and the 

 tail just over two feet in length. The fur is tolerably long, and falls densely over the body 

 and limbs. 



On referring to the engraving, it will be seen that the hair is longer than usual by the 

 region of the hips, and rather thickly overhangs the hinder quarters. This arrangement seems 

 to stand the creature in place of the callosities which have so often been alluded to, and which 

 are not possessed by the Cebidse. These monkeys are also destitute of cheek-pouches, but, as 

 if to compensate them for the want of these appendages, they are furnished with an additional 

 supply of teeth, having thirty-six instead of thirty-two, which is the ordinary complement. 



The nostrils are very different from those of the monkeys which have already been 

 described, as they open at the sides instead of underneath, and are separated from each other 

 by a wide piece of cartilage. The ear is less unlike that of man than is the case with the 



