THE BROWN CAPUCHIN 



( Cebus fatiwllus) 



THE Brown Capuchin, being the species most commonly brought to 

 Europe, is much the most familiar of the South American Monkeys, of 

 which it may be said to exemplify the typical or average type. In size 

 about as large as a cat, it is a well-proportioned animal, with limbs of 

 moderate length and well-developed thumbs and great-toes, which cannot, 

 however, be opposed to the other fingers, so that the hands, both fore 

 and hind, are so far less perfect than those of the Old World Monkeys. 



The tail is prehensile, but has not the extreme sensitiveness and 

 independence of action found in the Spider Monkey's, and, in con- 

 formity with this less degree of delicacy, it is hairy all over, and shows 

 no bald surface below at the tip. 



The coat, which is short, thick, and glossy, shows no sex difference 

 in colour, but it is extremely variable in shade, some specimens being 

 much lighter in colour than the typical hue shown in the picture, even 

 ranging to a pale yellow. 



There is much variability, too, in the hair of the crown, some writers 

 considering the so-called Horned Capuchin {Cebus apellci), which has it 

 rather long and parted in the centre so as to form two horn-like crests, 

 as only a variety of this species, while the Smooth-headed Capuchin 

 (C. monadms) is also very like the present species. 



In fact, although about sixteen kinds of Capuchins, ranging from 

 Costa Rica in Central America southwards down to Paraguay, have 

 been described, it is doubtful how many are really distinct, as they 

 are so similar in general appearance and so variable in detail. 



One, however, which is that most frequently seen in captivity after 

 the Brown Capuchin, appears to be really distinct, and certainly looks 

 very different. This is the White-throated Capuchin (Cebus hypoleucns\ 

 which is a smaller, slighter, and more delicately-formed animal, especi- 



