MONKEYS 27 



smaller in size than the spider or howling monkeys, and 

 make good pets, grinning with the most curious grimaces 

 and uttering flute-like sounds when responding to 

 caresses or endearments. They are very numerous, and 

 there are probably at least some twenty different species, 

 though they vary so remarkable in colour that their real 

 number is b} T no means satisfactorily determined. It is 

 possible that in the sapajous and in the howling monkeys 

 we have groups of animals wherein new species are now in 

 actual process of formation. That careful naturalist, 

 Dr. Rengger, managed to obtain some rare opportunities 

 of observing these watchful, timid animals in Paraguay, 

 which is about their southern boundary. He tells us that 

 they spend their lives almost constantly in trees, which 

 they only quit to drink at some spring or stream, or to 

 forage in some tempting field of maize. Sleeping at night 

 between conveniently branching twigs, they pass the day 

 ranging from tree to tree in search of fruit, buds, insects, 

 honey, or for some nest's eggs or callow brood, going 

 about in family groups of from five to ten individuals. 

 On one occasion a large troop approached him while he 

 was hidden from their observation. First came an old 

 male, passing from one tree's summit to another, and 

 keeping a careful look-out in all directions. He was 

 followed by about a dozen others of both sexes, three of 

 the females each carrying a young one on the back or under 

 the arm. One monkey quickly espying a neighbouring 

 orange-tree covered with ripe fruit, with a loud cry 

 sprang upon it, followed by all the others, who imme- 

 diately fell to work, some remaining on it to enjoy their 

 feast, while others retreated to adjoining trees, there to 

 enjoy in quiet the booty they had secured. Sapajous 

 are to be found in every menagerie, and if one happens 

 to be observed in proximity to one of the Asiatic or 



