ANIMAL KINGDOM. 85 



detailed account of the various species which the animal kingdom 

 of Trinidad embraces, but only to notice such as deserve attention 

 for their utility, their peculiar habits, or destructive propensities. 



Mammals — Quadrumana. — Two species: the red or howling 

 Monkey {Mycetes barbatus), and the Sapajou (Cebus). The 

 former is a large species, and very common, but extremely shy 

 and untameable. Even when taken young they refuse food, and 

 continue moaning day and night till they die of inanition. The 

 red monkey has a sort of deep resounding yell (hence the term 

 howling) , which it emits particularly previous to and during rain 

 and thunderstorms ; it is eaten in default of better game, and is 

 even relished by the mixed-breed Indian and Spanish hunters, 

 and the conuqueros, who often smoke-dry the flesh entire, as is 

 their custom with other game. 



The Sapajou is a small whitish ape, very common in the 

 eastern and southern districts. It is very inquisitive, and not 

 only does not flee at the approach of man, but will remain and 

 examine him with apparent curiosity ; its cries, however, prove 

 that it is really alarmed at his presence. Like all other sapajous 

 it has a soft plaintive tone, which has gained for it the name of 

 the weeping monkey; contrary to the howling species, it can be 

 rendered remarkably tame, and becomes domesticated in a few 

 days. 



Cheiroptera. — Bats may be said literally to swarm in Trinidad, 

 both in town and country; sometimes an immense number of 

 them take their lodgings in the hollow of some large tree, from 

 which they are seen issuing by hundreds to venture on depredatory 

 excursions. Many live on fruits, and some others by sucking the 

 blood, not only of animals, but of man ; they are so numerous in 

 some parts, that instances of persons having been bitten several 

 times in the same night are not rare. Although they cut out a 

 portion of the skin in their bite, no pain is occasioned ; the only 

 protection against their attacks is light. The loss of blood from 

 numerous or repeated bitings is, at times, so great, that large 

 animals, such as oxen, become immediately enfeebled, and may 

 die within two or three weeks ; this, however, happens only at 

 intervals of several years, when great loss in live-stock is oc- 

 casioned to proprietors of estates. They attack also swine, and 

 even fowls. These vampires are from three genera: Molossi, 

 Noctilion, and Phyllostoma. 



