MARMOSETS, OR MIDAS MONKEYS. 4.^9 



giving it an awkward appearance when feeding. In captivity 

 it is a docile and peculiarly timid animal. A little creature 

 which had been caught exhibited great alarm at the appear- 

 ance of several small monkeys of its own country ; and when 

 a serpent was placed before its eyes, it trembled violently. 



It is found on the borders of the Negi'o, where it is known 

 by several names — among others, as the mono faio, or ugly 

 monkey. 



MARMOSETS, OR MIDAS MONKEYS. 



The most active, playful, and amusing of animals are the 

 midas monke^^s, which form the second family of American 

 Quadrumana, several species of which exist, each in its respec- 

 tive district. As they are seen gambolling among the branches, 

 — now running round and round the trunk of a perpendicular 

 tree, now with theii' sharp claws rapidly mounting the branches, 

 sending down showers of rotten bark and twigs, and uttering 

 sharp twittering cries, — they might be mistaken for a troop of 

 squirrels. 



They are restless, inquisitive little creatures, possessed of a 

 large share of curiosity. When a stranger is passing through 

 the forest, they mvariably stop for a few moments to have a 

 stare at him. 



Though in no way related to squin^els, which belong to 

 the rodent order, they may easily be mistaken for them at a 

 distance. They are all of small size, and very similar, in their 

 mode of climbing, to squirrels. Their nails, also, except those 

 of the hind-thumbs, are long and claw-shaped ; and the thumbs 

 of the fore extremities, or hands, are not o})})0.sable to the 

 other finc^ers. Their, bodies are lono- and slender, clothed with 

 soft hair; and their tails, though not prehensile, are nearly 

 twice the length of their bodies. 



