THE COAITA AND MARIMONDA. 8r 



We now proceed to a genus the members of which may be described 

 as the Gibbons of the New World. They have not, however, the light- 

 ning-like spring and activity of those acrobats of the Eastern Hemisphere. 



THE SPIDER-MONKEYS. 



This appellation, bestowed by early naturalists on the following 

 lera, well expresses their leading features, which suggest the com- 

 ■ison to everv observer. 



genera, 



parison to every observer, 



III.— GENUS ATELES. 



The various species of this genus inhabit South America as far as 

 twenty degrees of South latitude. Their name Aides is a Greek word 

 signifying "imperfect," and is bestowed on them because the thumbs on 

 their fore-limbs are useless. They are usually found in small bodies of 

 ten or twelve. The fourteen species do not present much difference to 

 each other. 



THE COAITA. AND THE MARIMONDA. 



The COAlT.\, Atclcs paniscus, is one of the larger apes of the genus; it 

 attains the length of four feet, more than one half being tail. The hair 

 is long on the shoulders, and forms a crest on the head ; it is deep black, 

 except on the face, where it is red. A pair of lively brown eyes give 

 a pleasing expression to its visage. It is averse to the intrusion of 

 strangers, and large bands assault the stranger by pelting him with 

 sticks. It is a native of Guiana. 



The Marimonda, A teles Beelzebub, is a species which has been found 

 in Guiana, and, according to Humboldt, chiefly in the Spanish prov- 

 ince. 



In captivity, the Marimonda is a gentle and affectionate animal, 

 attaching itself strongly to those persons to whom it takes a fancy, and 

 playing many fantastic gambols to attract their attention. Its angry 

 feelings, although perhaps easily roused, do not partake of the petulant 

 malignity which is found in the baboons. Very seldom does it attempt 

 to bite, and even when such an event does take place, it is rather the 

 f^ect of sudden terror than of deliberate malice. 

 II 



