THE MIRIKI. Sc 



The throat, breast, inside of the limbs and the under side of the tail are much lighter 

 in tint, while in some individuals a large, bright chestnut patch covers the latter half 

 of the sides. 



It seems to be of rather a listless character, delighting to bask in the sun's rays, and 

 tying in the strangest attitudes for hours without moving. One of the postures which 

 ;s most in vogue is achieved by throwing the head back with the eyes turned up, and 

 then flinging the arms over the head. The positio* in which this animal is depicted 

 in the illustration is a very favorite one with most of the spider monkeys. 



There are several other species belonging to this group of animals, among which may 

 be mentioned the Cayou, or Black Spider Monkey, the Chuva, the Brown Coaita, and 

 others. The habits, however, of all these creatures are very similar, and therefore only 

 one more example will be described. This is the MIRIKI or MONO, as some authors 

 call it. 



MlRlKl.Brachyteles hypoxanthus. 



The hair of this species is very thick, short, and furry, of a tolerably uniform brown 

 tint over the head, body, and limbs, the paws being- much darker than the rest of the 

 animal. There is a slight moustache formed by a continuation of the long black hairs 

 which are scantily planted on the chin and face. On account of the thick coating of fur 

 with which the skin of this animal is covered, water has but little effect upon it. Know- 

 ing this wet-repellent property, the hunters of Brazil are accustomed to make the skin 

 of the Miriki into cases wherewith to cover the locks of their guns in rainy days. 



This species is easily distinguishable from its companions by the presence of a bettei 

 developed thumb on the fore-paws than falls to the lot of spider monkeys generally 



I conclude the account of the spider monkeys with a few anecdotes of one of these 

 animals, that have been kindly narrated to me by its owner, a captain in the royal 

 navy. 



