78 



THE MIRIKI. 



the spider monkey has been known to walk in a manner much more steady than that of any 

 other monkey, yet it must be remembered that this bipedal progression was only employed for 

 a few paces, and with a haven of rest in view in the shape of a window-sill, on which the crea- 

 ture could rest its hands. 



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 so often characterizes the monkey race, and are quite free from the rancorous 

 vengeance 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 effect of sudden terror than of 

 deliberate malice. 



On account of its amiable nature it is 

 often brought into a domesticated state, 

 and, if we may give credence to many a 

 traveller, is trained to become not only 

 an amusing companion, but an useful 

 servant. 



The color of this animal varies much 

 according to the age of the individual. 



When adult, the leading color is of 

 an uniform dull black, devoid of the 

 glossy lustre which throws back the sun- 

 beams from the coaita's furry mantle. On 

 the back, the top of the head, and along 

 the spine, the hair is of a dense, dead 

 black, which seems to have earned for the 

 animal the very inapposite name with 

 which its nomenclators have thought fit 

 to dedecorate the mild and amiable Mari- 

 monda. 



The throat, breast, inside of the 

 limbs, and the under side of the tail are 

 much lighter in tint, while in some indi- 

 viduals a large, bright chestnut patch 

 covers the latter half of the sides. 



It seems to be of rather a listless 

 character, delighting to bask in the sun's 

 rays, and lying in the strangest attitudes for hours without moving. One of the postures 

 which is most in vogue is achieved by throwing the head back with the eyes turned up, and 

 then flinging the arms over the head. 



There are several other species belonging to this group of animals, among which may be 

 mentioned the Cayou, or Black Spider Monkey, the Chuva, the Brown Coaita, and others. 

 The habits, however, of all these creatures are very similar, and therefore only one more 

 example will be described. This is the MIRIKI, or MONO, as some authors call it. 



The hair of this species is very thick, short, and furry, of a tolerably uniform brown tint 

 over the head, body, and limbs, the paws being much darker than the rest of the animal. 

 There is a slight moustache formed by a continuation of the long black hairs which are 

 scantily planted on the chin and face. On account of the thick coating of fur with which the 

 skin of this animal is covered, water has but little effect upon it. Knowing this wet-repellent 

 property, the hunters of Brazil are accustomed to make the skin of the Miriki into cases 

 wherewith to cover the locks of their guns in rainy days. 



This species is easily distinguishable from its companions by the presence of a better 

 developed thumb on the fore-paws than falls to the lot of spider monkeys generally. 



THE MIRIKI. BrachytiUs hypoxanOins. 



