456 ALOUATTES, OR HOWLERS;. 



heads, the upper jaw descending much below the cranium, 

 while the branches of the lower one ascend very high, for the 

 purpose of containing a bony, drum-shaped expansion of the 

 larynx, which gives to its voice that prodigious volume of 

 sound w^hich makes night hideous. 



They differ somewhat in colour. Some are entirely black, 

 others brownish-black, while the Mycetes ursinus is of a shiny 

 yellow. 



These unmusical howlings are supposed by some naturalists 

 to be merely the nocturnal serenades of lover mycetes ad- 

 dressed to their mistresses, seated high on the branches in 

 some distant part of the forest ; others regard them rather as 

 noises which serve to intimidate their enemies, though not 

 emitted in general for any sudden alarm. 



The female howler carries its young on its back. It is the 

 least attractive in appearance of its western brethren, and is 

 the only one of the monkey tribe which the natives are un- 

 able to tame. Though often' caught, they do not survive 

 many weeks in captivity. It lives on fruits and nuts, and is 

 hunted for the sake of its flesh, which, though rather dry, is 

 much esteemed. The natives entrap this monkey in a curious 

 fashion. They take a large nut, and scraping out the interior, 

 leave only a small mouth, and, filling it with sugar, leave it 

 near the trees inhabited by the mycetes. The inquisitive 

 monkey soon descends to examine the nut, and putting in his 

 hand, grasps the sweet contents. Knowing that it is well- 

 suited to his taste, he will not let go, but runs off with his 

 prize, which greatly impedes his progress. Although he might 

 easily draw out his hand by opening it, this he does not think 

 of doing ; and thus, unable at the best to move rapidly over a 

 level surface, is soon overtaken by the hunter, and captured. 



