THE SHORT-TUSKED MARMOSETS 193 



With the silver marmoset of Brazil (ff. chrysoleucus} we come to the 



J_ t first of three species, distinguished from those yet noticed either by 



the absence of rings of color on the tail, or by the arrangement or 



absence of the longer hairs on the ears. They are all tiny little creatures, not much 



larger than a rat, and have no bands of color on the back. 



The silver marmoset has large and nearly naked ears, covered on both sides 

 near the margin with long hairs, forming a double fringe instead of a pencil. 

 The fur of this elegant little creature is soft and silky, and either pure white or 

 yellowish white in color. In the white variety the limbs and tail are, however, 

 invariably yellowish ; while in the variety in which the fur of the body is yellowish, 

 that covering the limbs, tail, and under parts may be chestnut brown. These two 

 varieties were regarded by Dr. Gray as distinct species, but this is not generally 

 admitted by other writers. 



This species (H. melanura} is readily distinguished from the 

 Black-Tailed , A , ' . , , . . _ , 



M preceding by the absence of the fringe or hairs on the large and flesh- 



colored ears, and likewise by the black tail. Usually the general 

 color of the fur is ashy brown, paler on the front of the body, and whitish on the 

 front of the thighs and loins ; while the head and limbs are dark brown. There is, 

 however, a variety which is entirely white, with the exception of the character- 

 istic black tail. It is represented in the top figure of the illustration on p. 189. 



Of this species, which he mentions under the name of Midas argentatus, Mr. 

 Bates writes that it is one of the rarest of the American marmosets. "Indeed," 

 says this writer, " I have not heard of its being found anywhere except near 

 Cameta, where I once saw three individuals, looking like so many white kittens, 

 running along a branch in a cacao grove ; in their motions they precisely resembled 

 the M. ursulus," of which a description is given later on. "I saw afterwards a 

 pet animal of this species, and heard that there were many so kept and that they 

 were esteemed as great treasures. The one mentioned was full-grown, although 

 it measured only seven inches in length of body. It was covered with long, 

 white, silky hairs ; the tail being blackish and the face flesh colored. It was a 

 most timid and sensitive little thing. The woman who owned it carried it con- 

 stantly in her bosom, and no money would induce her to part with hef pet. She 

 called it Mico (the native name of these animals). It fed from her mouth, and 

 allowed her to fondle it freely, but the nervous little creature would not permit 

 strangers to touch it. If any one attempted to do so, it shrank back, the whole 

 body trembling with fear, and its teeth chattered, whilst it uttered its tremulous, 

 frightened tones. The expression of its features was like that of its more robust 

 brother, M. ursulus; the eyes, which were black, were full of curiosity, and mistrust, 

 and were always kept fixed on the person who attempted to advance towards it. ' ' 

 The third and last of the three diminutive species constituting this 

 M , group is the pigmy marmoset {H. pygmcea}, which is likewise found 



in the primeval forest regions of Brazil. This species is distinguished 

 by the smallness of its short ears, which, although slightly hairy on their outer sur- 

 face, have no tuft or fringe of long hairs, and are entirely concealed beneath the 

 backwardly-directed and elongated fur of the crown of the head. A further distinc- 

 13 



