THE SIAMIBI. 223 



when at rest it was either wound round its body or 

 limbs ; when sleepy, it kept the tail in this position, 

 and the head between the forelegs, somewhat in the 

 manner in which the subject of the following plate 

 is represented. The Siamiri is a native of Brasil and 

 Cayenne, and is very often kept by the natives in 

 confinement. It is a common species, though we 

 seldom meet with it in collections. * 



Another remarkable animal belonging to this group 

 is mentioned by Humboldt under the name of Maca- 

 vacahow Simia lugens. It is extremely rare ; one 

 specimen having only been seen by that naturalist, 

 who met with it in the forests bordering the Cassi- 

 quaire and Guaviare. As far as he could learn, it 

 was one of those few species which live in pairs, and 

 that opinion is confirmed by the fear and dislike which 

 it exhibited when placed near even some of the most 

 diminutive species of the same genus. 



It was extremely shy, and only when alone exhi- 

 bited its activity; when persons were near, though 

 occupied with general business, it would remain for 

 hours in immovable attention to all that passed, re- 

 fusing even food, though it had long fasted. But when 

 alone, the sight of a bird at once rouses it. It darts 

 upon it like a cat, swallows it in a second, and 

 in its whole manner at this time, resembles a small 

 carnivorous animal. 



There are good specimens in the Edinburgh Museum. 



