THE WOOLLY MONKEYS 



157 



I calculated that one horde of this tribe, two hundred in number, destroyed twelve 

 hundred of these monkeys annually for food. The species is very numerous in the 

 forests of the higher lands, but, owing to long persecution, it is now seldom seen in 

 the neighborhood of the larger villages. It is not found at all on the L,ower Ama- 

 zon. Its manners in captivity are grave, and its temper mild and confiding, like 

 that of the coaitas [spider-monkeys] . Owing to these traits, the barrigudo is much 



HTTMBOIjyr'S WOOLLY MONKEY. 

 (One-sixth natural size. ) 



sought after for pets ; but it is not hardy like the coaitas, and seldom survives a 

 passage down the river to Para. ' ' 



From the account given by Mr. Bates as to the partiality displayed by the 

 Indians of the Upper Amazon for this monkey as an article of food, it would seem 

 that it is the one referred to in Humboldt's narrative of the roasted monkeys at 

 ICsmeraldas, quoted on p. 148. 



