48 THE MONA. 
its green, maroon, grey, and white fur, it is sometimes called the Variegated Monkey. 
Little is known of its habits in a state of nature, and accounts of its captive character vary 
as much as is usually found in similar cases. On the authority of one writer, who speaks 
from personal experience, we are told that the adult Mona is savage and irritable ; while 
another, who also writes from personal observation, tells us that the Mona is gentle, and 
devoid of petulance or malice, its excellent disposition remaining unaltered by age. 
One of these animals, which passed several years in Europe, was remarkable for its 
amiable temper ; and although by no means free from the little mischievous and pilfering 
habits that are so inextricably interwoven in the monkey nature, was so quiet and gentle 
as to be left at perfect liberty. He was an adept at unlocking boxes and examining r their 
contents, could unravel the intricacies of a knot, and was possessed of a hand dexterous 
and nimble at picking pockets. The last-named occupation seemed to afford peculiar 
gratification, which was increased by the fact that his visitors were accustomed to carry 
nuts, cakes, and other delicacies in their pockets, on purpose for the monkey to find them 
there. 
Many specimens of this animal have been brought to Europe, and their disposition 
seems to vary according to the temperament of their owner. Monkeys are very sensitive 
animals, and take much of their tone of character from that of the person with whom 
they are most familiar. 
They seem to be affected almost instantaneously by predilection or antipathy, and on 
their first interview with a stranger, will evince either a satisfaction at, or objection to, 
his presence, which they will maintain for ever afterwards. I have often watched this 
propensity, and seen the same animal come voluntarily and offer itself to be caressed by 
one person, while the very approach of another would set it chattering with anger. It 
may be that the animal is actuated simply by caprice ; but the more “rational mode of 
accounting for such an action, is to suppose that the fine instincts which are implanted in 
its nature, enable it to discover its true friends at a glance without the trouble of testing 
them. 
THE WHI?TE-NOSE MONKEY. THE PATAsS. THE DIANA MONKEY. 
Cercopithécus Petaurista. Cercopithécus ruber. Cercopithécus Diana. 
The three monkeys which form the subject of the accompanying engraving are all 
members of the same genus, although they are marked by decided differences of colour 
and general aspect. 
The little animal which occupies the left hand of the group is the White-nose Monkey 
of Western Africa. It is a curious little creature, with an air of quaint conceit, for which 
it is indebted to the fringe of white hairs that surrounds its face, and the conspicuous 
white spot on the nose, which has earned for it the title of White-nose. As is so often 
the case in these animals, the under side of the body and inside of the limbs is of a much 
lighter tint than the upper portions. This distinction is peculiarly well marked in the 
long tail, which is nearly black above, and beneath takes a greyish hue. 
