THE HOWLERS. 201 



Chilasco, a cold and damp region, elevated at least 6,000 feet 

 above the sea, bat where the forest-growih is of the densest 

 description and trees of the largest size abound. It was here 

 that the specimens were obtained that are now m the British 

 Museum." 



Habits. — These animals are found in small companies of 

 five or six. They are usually met with on the upper branches 

 of the highest trees, and when disturbed crawl sluggishly along 

 the boughs. " The wonderful cry whence Alyceies gets its trivial 

 name of Howling Monkey is certainly most striking ; and I have 

 sometimes endeavoured to ascertain how far this cry may be 

 heard. It has taken me an hour or more to thread the forest 

 undergrowth from the time the cry first struck my ear to when, 

 guided by the cry alone, I stood under the tree where the 

 animals were. It would certainly not be over estimating the 

 distance to say two miles. When the sound came over the lake 

 of Yzab.il, unhindered by trees, a league would be more like 

 the distance at which the Mono's cry may be heard." ((9. 

 Salvm.) 



To this species, we believe, belongs the following de- 

 scription given by Captain Dampier : "The Monkeys that 

 are in these parts are the ugliest I ever saw. They are much 

 bigger than a Hare, and have great Tails about two Foot 

 and a half long. The under side of their Tails is all bare, with 

 a black hard Skin ; but the upper side and all the Body is 

 covered with coarse, long black staring Hair. These Creatures 

 keep together, twenty or thirty in a company, and ramble over 

 the Woods, leaping from Tree to Tree. If they meet with a 

 single Person they will threaten to devour him. When I have 

 been alone I have been afraid to shoot them, especially the 

 first Time I met them. They were a great company, dancing 



