GRIVET, GREEN MONKEY, AND VERVET. 45 



The GRIVET, or TOTA, as it is called by some writers, is of a sombre green color ; 

 the green being produced, as has been already mentioned, by the black and yellow 

 hair. The limbs and tail are of a grayer tint than the rest of the body, the yellow por- 

 tion of the hair being changed to a dull white. The inside of the limbs and the abdo- 

 men are slightly tinged with white. In the male animal the canine teeth are rather 

 protuberant, showing themselves beyond the lips. The naked skin of the face, ears, 

 and palms, is black, dashed with that deep violet hue that is found in so many of the 

 monkeys. At each side of the head, the white hairs stands out boldly, whisker fash- 

 ion, and give a very lively character to the head. It is an African animal, and com- 

 mon in Abyssinia. 



The centre of the group is occupied by the GREEN MONKEY sometimes called the 

 Callithrix, or Beautiful-haired Monkey, on account of the exquisitely delicate marking 

 of each separate hair. The inside of the limbs is nearly white, as is the under surface 

 of the body, and the outer side of the limbs takes a grayish tinge. The hairy fringe 

 that grows over the side of the face is of a delicate golden yellow. 



This monkey is a native of Senegal and the neighboring parts, and is frequently 

 brought to this country. 



The VERVET is the last of the figures. This is rather a variable animal in point of 

 color, some specimens being decidedly pale, while others assume a blackish hue. In 

 general, the color of the animal is as follows. The prevailing tint of the fur is much 

 the same as that of the Grivet, to which animal the Vervet bears a strong resemblance. 

 The head, the throat, and breast, are of a light dun, the paws being very dark. In the 

 male Vervet the canines are rather long, and show their points beyond the lips. 



These little animals are extremely abundant in their native land, and in Senegal 

 especially are seen among the branches in immense troops. They seem to feel their 

 own dignity as masters of the wood, and are aggrieved by the intrusion of human 

 beings into their special domains. They are so agile and swift in their movements, 

 and withal so quick of sight, that they almost invariably descry an intruder before 

 themselves are visible. There may be hundreds of little heads peering through the 

 branches of the very tree under which the traveller is seated, and double the number 

 of sharp little eyes glittering among the foliage ; but their owners are so lithe and 

 'cautious, that their presence remains undiscovered until they choose to announce 

 themselves in their own fashion. 



Monkeys have their code of etiquette, as well as men ; and, as they do not possess 

 cards, the correct mode in which a monkey announces its presence to a human visitor 

 is by dropping a piece of stick upon him. Perhaps he may consider the stick to be 

 only a twig fallen in the course of nature, and so take no notice of it. Down comes 

 another stick, and if that does not cause him to look up, several more are let fall upon 

 him until his attention is drawn to the assembly in the branches. 



This point having been gained, the next object is to let the intruder know that his 

 company is undesirable, and that the sooner he takes his departure the more agreeable 

 it will be for all parties. 



That the long-tailed party are averse to so big an animal without an inch of tail, is 

 clearly shown by the angry chattering that is set up, and the double rows of white and 

 sharp teeth that are freely exhibited ; and that the position of the objectionable in- 

 dividual will become anything but agreeable, is practically proved by the riot among 

 the branches, which are shaken with noisy violence, the constant cries and chattering, 

 and the shower of sticks and various missiles that pour upon him from above. Whether 

 the object of their dislike be armed or not, seems to make but little difference to these 

 tetchy animals. Should he retreat from so unpleasant a proximity, well and good 

 they have achieved their point, and satisfied their pride of place. Should he retaliate, 

 and hurl deadly leaden missiles among his persecutors in exchange for the harmless but 

 disagreeable assaults committed on himself, they sullenly receive his fire, unterrified by 

 the fall of their slaughtered companions, and, even when wounded, continue the un- 

 equal conflict. They evidently feel themselves in the right, and refuse to abandon their 

 position. One traveller who had been thus treated by the monkeys, killed twenty- 

 three of the poor animals in less than an hour not much to his credit. 



