238 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



likeness to humanity is so pronounced that the observer feels quite 

 uncomfortable in presence of the evidently small chasm existing be- 

 tween man and beast. 



After this general characterization of the whole species, I may be 

 allowed to trace in large outlines the families and some of their prin- 

 cipal representatives. Science establishes two families, the monkeys of 

 the Old World and the monkeys of the New World, and divides the lat- 

 ter into two sub-families, viz., the claw or squirrel apes and the howl- 

 ing monkeys, or scientifically, the Ouistitis and the Alouattes. The 

 home of the ouistitis extends from Mexico to Brazil. The squirrel- 

 apes are not yet perfect monkeys, though having the same number of 

 identically shaped teeth as the monkeys of the Old World. Their limbs 

 end in true paws, bearing narrow, compressed, and sharp-pointed nails 

 on the four fingers ; the thumbs alone are provided with flat, large nails 

 like human nails. They are the representatives of the transition from 

 the unguiculated quadrupeds to the quadrumana, and rank, physically 

 and intellectually, far below the genuine monkey with heraldic quarters. 

 The easy, bold, and graceful movements of the latter in climbing, 

 jumping, walking, and resting, are above their reach, and in the line of 

 bodily abilities they hardly attain to their model, the squirrel. No one 

 ever saw them walking in erect posture, and they always step on the 

 full flat sole, contrary to the real monkeys, whose feet rest on the 

 outer edge only. The cry of the squirrel-ape sounds like the whistle 

 of mice or the pip of young birds, and its wit does not, by any means, 

 reach the level of the genuine ape. A notorious coward, it shows all 

 the coward's distinctive attributes a plaintive voice, inability to submit 

 to unavoidable facts and events, and the endeavor to swagger, even in 

 the moment of flight. 



The first rank in the family of the apes of the New World belongs 

 incontestably to the howling monkey. Its body is slender, its limbs 

 are proportionately developed, its hands end in fjve fingers, and each 

 finger shows flat, slightly convex nails. The fur is coarse, and the hair 

 under the chin forms a kind of long, protruding beard. A distinctive 

 feature is to be found in a kind of bony, sixfold drum or barrel 

 formed by an inflation of the hyoid bone, which communicates with 

 the larynx, and gives to the voice an enormous volume and frightful 

 sound. Hence the name of howling monkeys. The long tail is naked, 

 callous, and of great muscular strength at its extremity, and forms a 

 convenient prehensile organ, which might be called a kind of fifth hand, 

 or rather the principal hand of the animal. The alouattes are not 

 poor climbers, but they never take bold jumps, and always keep their 

 hold by the tail till their hands have grasped the next limb, aud this 

 makes them slaves to the trees. They seldom venture upon the ground 

 or on rocks. The howling monkeys herd in troops and follow slowly 

 and awkwardly in the steps of their leader, whose slightest move- 

 ments are imitated by every individual. There is no character in 



