THE MARIMONDA, 85 
is sufliciently strong for the purpose in view, and takes a firm hold of it. The signal is 
then given that all is ready, and the rest of the band ascend thie tree, and cross the river 
by means of this natural suspension bridge. 
So far, so good! The monkeys run over the bridge easily enough; but how is the 
bridge itself to get over. Their plight is very like that of the man who invented a system 
of iron doors to be closed from the interior, and who, after closing them in the most 
admurable and effectual manner, was obliged to open them again in order to get out. 
Still, whatever may be the case with human beings, when monkeys are clever enough 
to make such a bridge, they are at no loss to achieve the passage of the bridge itself. 
Two or three of the stoutest ke ep themselves in reserve for this emergency, and, 
attaching themselves to the last links of the living chain, relieve their comrade from his 
arduous task of clutching the boughs, and at the same time slightly lengthen the chain. 
They then clamber up the tree as high as the chain will stretch, or the boughs bear the 
strain, and take a firm hold of a tough branch. A second signal is now given, and the 
monkey on the opposite bank relaxing his hold, the entire line of monkeys swings across 
the river, perhaps, slightly ducking the lowermost in the passage. Once arrived, the 
lower monkeys drop to the ground, while the others catch at branches, and break their 
connexion with the much- enduring individual at the top. When the last monkey has 
secured itself, the leaders descend the tree, and the whole troop proceed on their march. 
Those who have witnessed this curious scene, say that it is a most amusing affair, and 
that there is a considerable comic element in it, on account of the exuberant spirits of 
the younger and less staid individuals, who delight in playing off little practical jokes on 
the component parts of the bridge in their passage; knowing that there is no opportunity 
for immediate retaliation, and trusting to escape ultimately in the confusion that follows 
the renewal of the march. 
The Coaita is by no means a large animal, measuring very little more than a foot 
from the nose to the root of the tail, while the tail itself is two feet in length. Its colour 
is very dark and glossy ; so dark, indeed, as to be almost black. The hair varies much in 
length and density. On the back and the outside of the limbs it hangs in long drooping 
locks, forming a thick covering through which the skin cannot be seen. But on the 
abdomen the hair is quite scanty, and is so thinly seattered that the skin is plainly 
visible. The skin of the face is of a dark copper colour. 
The Coaita seems to be as much averse to the intrusion of strangers into its domains 
as the African monkeys, whose proceedings have been already narrated. Banding 
together in large troops, these monkeys will assault a stranger with great vigour, Their 
first proceeding upon the approach of any imtruder, w hether man or bes ast, is to descend 
to the lower branches of their trees, and to satisfy themselves by a close inspection, 
whether the object be a friend or a trespasser. Having decided on the latter point of view, 
they re-ascend to their stronghold, and commence an assault by pelting with sticks, and 
keep. up their attacks, until they fairly worry the intruder out of their dominions. 
Another example of this wonderful group of monkeys is found in the MARIMONDA ; 
an inhabitant, like the two last-named aninals, of Central America, and found in greatest 
numbers in Spanish Guiana, where, according to Humboldt, it fills the place of the 
Coaita. 
The general shape, the formation of its limbs, and the long prehensile tail, point it 
out at once as another of the spider monkeys. It is certainly a very appropriate name 
for these animals. Their heads are so small, their bodies so short, their limbs so slender, 
and their tail so limb-like, that the mind unconsciously draws a parallel between these 
monkeys and the long-legged spiders that scuttle so awkwardly over the ground, and are 
so indifferent respecting their complement of legs. 
The resemblance holds good even when the monkey is at rest, or even when it only 
appears before the eye in an illustration. But when the creature begins to walk on level 
ground, and especially if it be hurried, its clumsy movements are so very spider-like, that 
the similitude is ten times more striking. Be it remarked, that both creatures are sup- 
posed to be placed in uncongenial circumstances. The spider is deft and active enough 
among the many threads of its air-suspended nets, as is the monkey among the slight 
