384 PEOCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



with orchids and parasitic cacti. The ground beneath is freer from 

 obstruction in the way of undergrowth tlian might be expected, 

 although numerous species of cacti and other thorn-bearing i)lauts 

 are sometimes exceedingly annoying to the collector. 



The mammalian fauna is rich and varied. Three species of monkeys 

 were noticed. The " Howling Monkey " [Mycetes palUatus) is most i^rom- 

 inent to the ear, if not to the eye. Its cry is the most diabolical, in the 

 estimation of the writer, of all sounds issuing from animate beings. 

 The "Eed Monkey" {Sapajou melanochir) in quite numerous, and is the 

 largest in size of Costa Eican Quadrumana. One little domestic scene 

 in connection with this monkey impressed the writer so forcibly that he 

 cannot refrain from describing it. While hunting along a lagoon one 

 day, I suddenly came under a tree in which a troop of these monkeys 

 w^ere disporting themselves. A female, with her "baby " clinging to 

 her back, happened to be nearest me at the end of an overhanging 

 branch. Upon seeing the strange-looking animal below, with true 

 maternal solicitude for her offspring, she hastened to bear it out of 

 danger. As she started for the main trunk of the tree, a male started 

 from the trunk to go out and have a closer look at the intruder. They 

 met about the middle of the branch, when she commenced to chatter 

 and look down at me as if to implore his protection, upon which he put 

 his arms around her and embraced her. x\fter standing in that position 

 for several seconds, they parted, each proceeding on its way. After such 

 a scene of almost human affection it is needless to say that the writer 

 could not find the heart to shoot one of the monkeys. 



The most abundant by far is the White-faced Monkey {Cehus hypo- 

 leucus), which is black with the exception of the shoulders and sides of 

 the face, which are covered with rather long white hair, thus giving the 

 appearance of little bald-headed black men. They were often quite an- 

 noying from their habit of throwing sticks, nuts, etc., at the traveler 

 passing below them. They soon discovered the place where I took my 

 morning bath, and were so annoying in this particular that I appreciated 

 as nexev before the pathetic story of the " Boys and the Frogs," and had 

 to shoot one of them in pure self-defense. But I felt like a murderer 

 for it. 



The Felidic are well represented in this region. The Jaguar {Felis 

 onca) is quite common, but apparently of a smaller race than in South 

 America. It is not considered dangerous by the natives. Felis concolor, 

 the " Leon" of that country, is rather rare and much feared by the in- 

 habitants. Several other animals of this family were seen, especially 

 one entirely black (probably a melanism of the Jaguarundi) which I do 

 not remember with sufficient distinctness to venture to identify. 



A beautiful little species of Deer ( Cervus m exicanvs) is abundant, not at 

 all timid, and easily approached. Its flesh is, of course, excellent food. 



The Peccary {Bicotyles torquatus) is abundant, though usually seen 

 in small droves of not more than eight or ten. I never heard of their 



