Cuap. III. MONKEYS OF THE AMAZONS. 49 
Cebidz, the other family of American monkeys; they agree with them, 
however, in the sideway position of the nostrils, a character which 
distinguishes both from all the monkeys of the Old World. The body 
is long and slender, clothed with soft hairs, and the tail, which is nearly 
twice the length of the trunk, is not prehensile. The hind limbs are 
much larger in volume than the anterior pair. The Midas ursulus is 
never seen in large flocks; three or four is the greatest number 
observed together. It seems to be less afraid of the neighbourhood of 
man than any other monkey. I sometimes saw it in the woods which 
border the suburban streets, and once I espied two individuals in a 
thicket behind the English consul’s house at Nazareth. Its mode of 
progression along the main boughs of the lofty trees is like that of 
squirrels ; it does not ascend to the slender branches, or take those 
wonderful flying leaps which the Cebidz do, whose prehensile tails and 
flexible hands fit them for such headlong travelling. It confines itself 
to the larger boughs and trunks of trees, the long nails being of great 
assistance to the creature, enabling it to cling securely to the bark; and 
it is often seen passing rapidly round the perpendicular cylindrical 
trunks. It is a quick, restless, timid little creature, and has a great 
share of curiosity, for when a person passes by under the trees along 
which a flock is running, they always stop for a few moments to have a 
stare at the intruder. In Para, Midas ursulus is often seen in a tame 
state in the houses of the inhabitants. When full grown, it is about © 
nine inches long, independently of the tail, which measures fifteen 
inches. The fur is thick, and black in colour, with the exception of a 
reddish-brown streak down the middle of the back. When first taken, 
or when kept tied up, it is very timid and irritable. It will not allow 
itself to be approached, but keeps retreating backwards when any one 
attempts to coax it. It is always in a querulous humour, uttering a 
twittering, complaining noise; its dark, watchful eyes, expressive of 
distrust, observant of every movement which takes place near it. When 
treated kindly, however, as it generally is in the houses of the natives, 
it becomes very.tame and familiar. I once saw one as playful as a 
kitten, running about the house after the negro children, who fondled 
it to their hearts’ content. It acted somewhat differently towards 
strangers, and seemed not to like them to sit in the hammock which 
was slung in the room, leaping up, trying to bite, and ctherwise annoying 
them. It is generally fed on sweet fruits, such as the banana ; but it 
is also fond of insects, especially soft-bodied spiders and grasshoppers, 
which it will snap up with eagerness when within reach. The expression 
of countenance in these small monkeys is intelligent and pleasing. This 
is partly owing to the open facial angle, which is given as one of 60°; 
but the quick movements of the head, and the way they have of 
inclining it to one side when their curiosity is excited, contribute very 
much to give them a knowing expression. Anatomists who have 
dissected species of Midas tell us that the brain is of a very low type, 
as far as the absence of convolutions goes, the surface being as smooth 
as that of a squirrel’s. I should conclude, at once, that this character 
is an unsafe guide in judging on the mental qualities of these animals ; 
in mobility of expression of countenance, intelligence, and general 
4 
