174) THE NATTJBAL HISTORY OP 



The individual represented by F. Cuvier, and 

 which has served for our copy, was procured to the 

 Parisian Menagerie while very young, and on account of 

 its mild and retiring manners was allowed to go at large. 

 Age did not alter these traits of its character, and 

 its gambols are performed with a sedate activity, which 

 is not intrusive or disagreeable. Notwithstanding, its 

 cunning and activity are very great, and particularly 

 its adroitness in performing any little theft without the 

 slightest noise. It will open a chest or drawer by 

 turning the key in the lock, will untie knots, undo the 

 rings of a chain, and will search one's pockets with a 

 delicacy of touch which will not be felt until the 

 theft has Been discovered; the latter was its most 

 favourite amusement, and a stranger seldom escaped 

 without being rifled. It is playful when caressed, 

 and will return them with gentleness, uttering at the 

 time a low cry, as if an expression of pleasure, and in 

 every way is free from the disgusting manners possessed 

 by most other monkeys. Of their habits in a wild state, 

 nothing whatever is known, and the account of those 

 who have mentioned them can be reduced to no proof, 

 and seem to be more the result of conjecture than of 

 reality. 



The colouring of a specimen in the Zoological Gar- 

 dens is thus described by Mr Bennet, and appears the 

 most correct we are acquainted with: " The top of 

 the head is of a greenish-yellow, mingled with a slight 

 tinge of black, and the neck, back, and sides, are of 



