86 



THE MARIMONDA. 



twigs of the air-bathed branches. But when both animals are subjected to circum 

 stances which are directly opposed to their natural mode of existence, they become 

 alike awkward, and alike afford subjects of mirth. 



The mode by which a spider monkey walks on level ground is rather singular, and 

 difficult to describe, being different from that which is employed by the large apes. 

 They do not set the sole of either paw, or hand, flat upon the ground, but, turning the 

 hinder feet inwards, they walk upon their outer sides. The reverse process takes place 

 with the fore-paws, which are twisted outwards, so that the weight of the animal is 

 thrown upon their inner edges. 



It will easily be seen how very awkward an animal must be which is forced to em- 

 ploy so complicated a means for the purpose of locomotion. Although it has been 

 already stated that the spider monkey has been known to walk in a manner much more 

 steady than that of any other monkey, yet it must be remembered that this bipedal 

 progression was only employed for a few paces, and with a haven of rest in view in 

 the shape of a window-sill, on which the creature could rest its hands. 



MARIMONDA. Ateles Belzebuth. 



In captivity, the Marimonda is a gentle and affectionate animal, attaching itself 

 strongly to those persons to whom it takes a fancy, and playing many fantastic gam- 

 bols to attract their attention. Its angry feelings, although perhaps easily roused, do 

 not partake of the petulant malignity which so often characterizes the monkey race, 

 and are quite free from the rancorous vengeance which is found in the baboons. 

 Very seldom does it attempt to bite, and even when such an event does take place, it 

 is rather the effect of sudden terror than of deliberate malice. 



On account of its amiable nature it is often brought into a domesticated state, and, 

 if we may give credence to many a traveller, is trained to become not only an amus- 

 ing companion, but an useful servant. 



The color of this animal varies much according to the age of the individual. 



When adult, the leading color is of an uniform dull black, devoid of the glossy lustre 

 which throws back the sunbeams from the coaita's furry mantle. On the back, the 

 top of the head, and along the spine, the hair is of a dense, dead black, which seems 

 to have earned for the animal the very inapposite name with which its nomenclators 

 have thought fit to decorate the mild and amiable Marimonda. 



