LITTLE STRIATED MONKEY. 31 



the breast ; and this act seems to have destroyed the 

 monstrous and perverted feelings of the mother^ as 

 from that moment she bestovi^ed upon them the natural 

 affection of a parent. The father also joined her in her 

 cares ; for, when the female was fatigued by carrying 

 the little ones, she would approach the male, sending 

 forth a gently plaintive cry. He seemed perfectly con- 

 scious of her meaning, for he would immediately hasten 

 to relieve her : taking their offspring gently in his arms, 

 he would place them upon his belly or upon his back, 

 where they seemed to cling with perfect security ; and 

 in this manner he would carry them about until they 

 again wanted an infant's food. This was constantly re- 

 peated : the father, in short, seemed to take nearly all 

 their burthen upon himself, while the mother merely 

 gave them support. Unfortunately, however, this in- 

 tei-esting scene was cut short by the death of both ; ori- 

 ginating in the mother losing her natural supply of food. 

 Every attempt was made to rear the little strangers by 

 hand, but without success. Although, from its diminu- 

 tive size, and faciUty of living in confinement, the 

 striated monkey is a favourite with many, it seems in- 

 capable of affection, even to the hand that feeds it. 

 tt mistrusts all ; and menaces indifferently those whom 

 one would think it well knew, and those who are 

 strangers. Neither does it show much inteUigence, 

 although it is attentive and suspicious of every thing 

 which is passing. When under the influence of fear, 

 it strives to conceal itself, uttering a short but piercing 

 cry; at other times it hisses. In confinement, it has 

 been stated, that these individuals exhibited but little 

 vivacity or agility of motion, and that they use much 

 precaution in ascending and descending in their cage: it 

 is thence inferred that the striated monkey is much in- 

 ferior, in point of activity, to the squirrel. This infer- 

 ence, however, is perfectively deceptive. We have 

 personally seen this animal in its native forests : it lives 

 only among the loftiest trees, and always in societies of 

 six or seven. So rapidly do they bound from branch to 



