Chap. V. NIGHT-APES. 315 



the lead of all the South American monkeys in intel- 

 ligence and docility, and the Coaita has perhaps the 

 most gentle and impressible disposition ; but the Pa- 

 rauacu, although a dull, cheerless animal, excels all in 

 this quality of capability of attachment to individuals 

 of our own species. It is not wanting, however, in in- 

 telligence as well as moral goodness, proof of which was 

 furnished one day by an act of our little pet. My 

 neighbour had quitted his house in the morning without 

 taking Parauacu with him, and the little creature 

 having missed its friend, and concluded, as it seemed, 

 that he would be sure to come to me, both being in the 

 habit of paying me a daily visit together, came straight 

 to my dwelling, taking a short cut over gardens, trees, 

 and thickets, instead of going the roundabout way of 

 the street. It had never done this before, and we 

 knew the route it had taken only from a neighbour 

 having watched its movements. On arriving at my 

 house and not finding its master, it climbed to the top 

 of my table, and sat with an air of quiet resignation 

 waiting for him. Shortly afterwards my friend entered, 

 and the gladdened pet then jumped to its usual perch 

 on his shoulder. 



Old-faced Night Apes. — A third interesting genus of 

 monkeys, found near Ega, are the Nyctipitheci, or night 

 apes, called Ei-a by the Indians. Of these I found two 

 species, closely related to each other but nevertheless 

 quite distinct, as both inhabit the same forests, namely, 

 those of the higher and drier lands, without mingling 

 with each other or intercrossing. They sleep all day 

 long in hollow trees, and come forth to prey on insects 



