A NATURALIST IN BRAZIL 



downwards, the American monkeys have a broad septum, so that 

 the nostrils look outwards. Moreover, the monkeys of the Old 

 World have a dentition resembling that of man, as regards the 

 number and form of the teeth. The American monkeys, however, 

 have an additional tooth in each jaw between the canines and the 

 pre-molars, so that they have not 32 but 36 teeth in all. Still lower 

 stand the Unguiculate monkeys of South America, among which 

 are the delightful Saguims. These, as their name tells us, have claws 

 instead of nails, even on the big toe ; moreover, the thumb cannot 

 be opposed to the other fingers, and their small intelligence is shown 

 by the fact that they have no wisdom-teeth ! 



But this does not prevent the Saguims from being the most 

 delightful animals imaginable. Fortunately they are still numerous, 

 but are, of course, only too frequently caught, when they are 

 offered for sale to passing travellers. For me it was a memorable 

 moment when I first saw a Saguim. One Thursday, when the 

 Fathers and Brothers of the monastery made an excursion to 

 "Monte," a small, deserted monastery on the quiet hilltop, from 

 which one had a glorious view of the cashew-woods and the sea, I 

 joined my amiable hosts. At the back of the horseshoe-shaped 

 building grew some cashew-trees, and it was here that I was able, 

 on looking through the window, to observe a Saguim at my ease. 

 The charming little creature, with his grey, woolly coat and long 

 banded tail, would have looked like a pigmy Kinkajou but for his 

 tiny black face, with its startHngly hum.an, or rather gnome-Hke, ex- 

 pression, observant but slightly plaintive. The Saguim was nibbling 

 at the bark of the cashew-tree ; presently he proceeded to groom 

 himself Later on I often met the little creatures in the woods, and 

 heard their sharp whistle, which sounded like a boy whistling between 

 his fingers. They also utter a kek, kek, kek, like the chatter of the 

 magpie. We shall see in Chapter XV that the Saguim ventures even 

 into city gardens. 



There are many related monkeys in Brazil, such as the Lion 

 Monkey and the Pencilled Monkey. To these we must add the 

 larger monkeys; the Scarlet-faced Monkey, the splendid Howler 

 Monkeys, Bugios, or Guaribes, known by their penetrating cry, the 

 Death's-head, and the Capucins or Micos. These latter creatures 

 are very gentle, and their voice is a soft whisper. In the zoological 

 gardens one may stroke them without fear of injury, or pick them 

 up if they are in the open ; I have done so constantly, and have 

 never been bitten. 

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