THE MARIMONDA. 85 



is sufficiently strong for the purpose in view, and takes a firm hold of it. The signal 

 is then given that all is ready, and the rest of the band ascend the tree, and cross the 

 river by means of this natural suspension bridge. 



So far, so good ! The monkeys run over the bridge easily enough ; but how is the 

 bridge itself to get over. Their plight is very like that of the man who invented a system 

 of iron doors to be closed from the interior, and who, after closing them in the most 

 admirable and effectual manner, was obliged to open them again in order to get out. 



Still, whatever may be the case with human beings, when monkeys are clever enough 

 to make such a bridge, they are at no loss to achieve the passage of the bridge 

 itself. 



Two or three of the stoutest keep themselves in reserve for this emergency, and, 

 attaching themselves to the last links of the living chain, relieve their comrade from his 

 arduous task of clutching the boughs, and at the same time slightly lengthen the chain. 

 They then clamber up the tree as high as the chain will stretch, or the boughs bear the 

 strain, and take a firm hold of a tough branch. A second signal is now given, and the 

 monkey on the opposite bank relaxing his hold, the entire line of monkeys swings across 

 the river, perhaps, slightly ducking the lowermost in the passage. Once arrived, the 

 lower monkeys drop to the ground, while the others catch at branches, and break their 

 connexion with the much-enduring individual at the top. When the last monkey has 

 secured itself, the leaders descend the tree, and the whole troop proceed on their march. 



Those who have witnessed this curious scene, say that it is a most amusing affair, and 

 that there is a considerable comic element in it, on account of the exuberant spirits of 

 the younger and less staid individuals, who delight in playing off little practical jokes 

 on the component parts of the bridge in their passage ; knowing that there is no op- 

 portunity for immediate retaliation, and trusting to escape ultimately in the confusion 

 that follows the renewal of the inarch. 



The Coaita is by no means a large animal, measuring very little more than a foot 

 from the nose to the root of the tail, while the tail itself is two feet in length. Its color 

 is very dark and glossy ; so dark, indeed, as to be almost black. The hair varies much 

 in length and density. On the back and the outside of the limbs it hangs in long 

 drooping locks, forming a thick covering through which the skin cannot be seen. But 

 on the abdomen the hair is quite scanty, and is so thinly scattered that the skin is 

 plainly visible. The skin of the face is of a dark copper color. 



The Coaita seems to be as much averse to the intrusion of strangers into its do- 

 mains as the African monkeys, whose proceedings have been already narrated. Banding 

 together in large troops, these monkeys will assault a stranger with great vigor. Their 

 first proceeding upon the approach of any intruder, whether man or beast, is to descend 

 to the lower branches of their trees, and to satisfy themselves by a close inspection, 

 whether the object be a friend or a trespasser. Having decided on the latter point of 

 view, they re-ascend to their stronghold, and commence an assault by pelting with sticks, 

 and keep up their attacks, until they fairly worry the intruder out of their dominions. 



Another example of this wonderful group of monkeys "is found in the MARIMONDA ; 

 an inhabitant, like the two last-named animals, of Central America, and found in great- 

 est numbers in Spanish Guiana, where, according to Humboldt, it fills the place of the 

 Coaita. 



The general shape, the formation of its limbs, and the long prehensile tail, point it 

 out at once as another of the spider monkeys. It is certainly a very appropriate name 

 for these animals. Their heads are so small, their bodies so short, their limbs so 

 slender, and their tail so limb-like, that the mind unconsciously draws a parallel between 

 these monkeys and the long-legged spiders that scuttle so awkwardly over the ground, 

 and are so indifferent respecting their complement of legs. 



The resemblance holds good even when the monkey is at rest, or even when it only 

 appears before the eye in an illustration. But when the creature begins to walk on level 

 ground, and especially if it be hurried, its clumsy movements are so very spider-like, that 

 the similitude is ten times more striking. Be it remarked, that both creatures are sup- 

 posed to be placed in uncongenial circumstances. The spider is deft and active enough 

 among the many threads of its air-suspended nets, as is the monkey among the slight 



