190 T H E C O A I T A 



this advantage, Nature has deprived this animal 

 of a thumb. We are aflured that it ieizes filhes 

 with its tail ; which is by no means incredible ; 

 for we have Teen one of our coaitas lay hold in 

 this manner of a fquirrel, which had been put 

 into its chamber as a companion. They have 

 the addrefs to break the Ihells of oyfters, in or- 

 der to eat them *. Ic is certain, that, with a view 

 to pafs from one tree to another, whofe branches 

 are too diftant for a leap, they form a chain, by 

 hanging down "f, linked to each other by their 

 tails, and fwinging in that manner till the loweft 

 catches hold of a branch, and draws up the reft. 

 They fometimes pafs rivers by the fame expe- 

 dient* 



holds every thing by it, and flings itfelf with the greateft eafe 



from every tree and poft by its means. It is a native of 



the main continent ; and a part of the food of the Indians 5 

 Rufe/, Hifl. of Jamaica, chap. ^. feSf. 5. 



* At the ifland of Gorgonia, on the coaft of Peru, we took 

 notice of feveral monkeys, who lived partly upon oyltcrs, 

 wliich they got out of the fea at low water. Their way was 

 to take up an oyller, and lay it Upon a ftoue, and with another 

 ftone to keep beating of it till they had broke the Ihell in 

 pieces ; Duwpier'j voyages, vol. 3. />. 3S2. 

 . \ In tra_velling to Panama, I faw, at Capira, one of thefe 

 monkeys leap from one tree to another, which was on the op- 

 pofite fide of the river. When they want to reach a place 

 which they cannot accomplilh by one le.ip, they link them* 

 felvcs to each other's tail, and by this means form a long 

 chain. They then fpring forward, and the fii ft, being aided 1 

 by the impuUe of the rcll, reaches the intended branch ; and, j 

 • after fixing himfelf, he continues to ad'ift the progrefs of the \ 

 others till the whole attain their end ; Hijl. Nat. du Ir.des, p.if \ 

 Jofefh Acojla, {. 2co. 



