SQ UIRREL-MONKE VS. 



171 



cence, a similar playful smile, and a similar sudden change from joy to sorrow, or 

 vi& versd. When seized with fear its eyes are suddenly suffused with tears. The 

 one in possession of Humbolclt was extremely fond of spiders and insects ; and 

 when shown uncoloured figures of wasps, etc., in a work of Natural History, darted 

 forward as if to seize the insect. It remained, however, perfectly indifferent to 

 figures of heads and skeletons of Mammals. 



When several of these monkeys confined in one cage were exposed to a shower 

 of rain, they twined their tails round their necks, and huddled close together in 

 order to impart to one another mutual warmth. The Indians of the Orinoco in- 

 formed Humboldt that they often met with groups of ten or twelve of these 

 monkeys thus cowering together, whilst others remained outside the group, utter- 

 ing mournful cries at not being allowed 

 to 'enter. By shooting poisoned arrows 

 at such groups the natives are accus- 

 tomed to obtain a number of young 

 squirrel monkeys at a time ; the young 

 clinging to their dying mothers as they 

 fall, and, unless wounded, not leaving 

 them even when dead. All the move- 

 ments of these little monkeys are rapid, 

 light, and graceful. They have a habit 

 of steadfastly watching the mouth of 

 a person when speaking ; and if allowed 

 to sit on the shoulder of their master, 

 they will frequently touch his lips, 

 tongue, or teeth. Mr. Bates speaks of 

 the squirrel-monkeys in Brazil as living in large flocks, and, when on the move, 

 taking flying leaps from tree to tree. 



Short-Tailed This species (G. usta) is distinguished from the preceding one 



squirrel-Monkey. ma j n iy by its shorter tail and naked ear. It inhabits the same 

 regions as the last. In some specimens the outer side of the fore-arm is of 

 the same colour as the body, but in others it is shot with gold, as in the 

 typical squirrel-monkey. A side view of the head is given in tlie accompanying 

 woodcut. 



Black-Tailed In Bolivia the squirrel - monkeys are represented by a well- 



squirrei-Monkey. mar k ec [ species, (G. entomophaga), differing from both the above by 

 its black head, and by the hairs of the body being yellow with long black tips. 

 These parti-coloured hairs cause the general hue of the fur to be golden-brown. 

 The upper part of the body is, however, of the same black hue as the head ; and 

 this colour likewise prevails on the tail, which is of moderate length. The face, 

 throat, and the inner surfaces of the thighs are, on the contrary, of a yellowish-grey 

 colour. 



SIDE VIEW OF THE HEAD OP THE SHORT-TAILED SQUIRREL- 

 MONKEY. (From Sclater, Proc. Zool Soc. 1872.) 



