THE MONA. 



its green, maroon, gray, and white fur it is sometimes called the Variegated Monkey. 

 Little is known of its habits in a state of nature and accounts of its captive character, 

 vary as much as is usually found in similar cases. On the authority of one writer, who 

 speaks from personal experience, we are told that the adult Mona is savage and irritable, 

 while another, who also writes from personal observation, tells that the Mona is gentle, 

 and devoid of petulance or malice, its excellent disposition, remaining unaltered by age. 



One of these animals, which passed several years in Europe, was remarkable for its 

 amiable temper ; and although by no means free from the little mischievous and 

 pilfering habits that are so inextricably interwoven in the monkey nature, was so quiet 

 and gentle as to be left at perfect liberty. He was an adept at unlocking boxes and 

 examining their contents, could unravel the intricacies of a knot, and was possessed of a 

 hand dexterous and nimble at picking pockets. The last-named occupation seemed to 

 afford peculiar gratification, which was increased by the fact that his visitors were ac- 

 customed to carry nuts, ca'kes, and other delicacies in their pockets, on purpose for the 

 monkey to find them there. 



Many specimens of this animal have been brought to Europe, and their disposition 

 seems to vary according to the temperament of their owner. Monkeys are very sen- 

 sitive animals, and take much of their tone of character from that of the person with 

 whom they are most familiar. 



They seem to be affected almost instantaneously by predilection or antipathy, and 

 on their first interview with a stranger, will evince either a satisfaction at or objection to, 

 his presence, which they will maintain forever afterwards. I have often watched this 

 propensity, and seen the same animal come voluntarily and offer itself to be caressed 

 by one person, while the very approach of another would set it chattering with anger. 

 It may be that the animal is actuated simply by caprice ; but the more rational mode 

 of accounting for such an action, is to suppose that the fine instincts which are im- 

 planted in its nature, enable it to discover its true friends at a glance without the trou- 

 ble of testing them. 



THE WHITE-NOSE MONKEY. 

 Cercopithecus Petaurista. 



THE PAT AS. 



Cercopithecus ruber. 



THE DIANA MONKEY. 

 Cercopithecus Diana. 



The three monkeys which form the subject of the accompanying engraving are all 

 members of the same genus, although they are marked by decided differences of 

 color and general aspect. 



The little animal which occupies the left hand of the group is the White-nose Mon- 

 key of Western Africa. It is a curious little creature, with an air of quaint conceit, for 

 which it is indebted to the fringe of white hairs that surrounds its face, and the con- 

 spicuous white spot on the nose, which has earned for it the title of White-nose. As 

 is so often the case in these animals, the underside of the body and inside of the limbs 

 is of a much lighter tint than the upper portions. This distinction is peculiarly well 

 marked in the long tail, which is nearly black above, and beneath takes a grayish hue. 



