SILKY 3I0NKEY. 



3S 



Naturally gregarious, like 

 the striated monkey last de- 

 scribed, they cannot live 

 alone. The most certain 

 means of preserving them is 

 in pairs, particularly if of 

 opposite sexes. They show 

 a liking for milk, boiled rice, 

 Indian corn, &c. ; but prefer 

 ripe fruits, as more in unison 

 with their natural food. The 

 individual described by M. 

 F. Cuvier as then in the 

 Paris managerie, would con- 

 ceal himself when in the 

 least frightened, and express his fears by a prolonged 

 hissing noise. He loved to receive caresses, yet never 

 returned them ; and although he testified some affec- 

 tion for those who attended him, it was always mixed 

 with a lurking mistrust, or more probably fear. He 

 would come when called by those he knew, but avoided 

 and chattered in anger at all strangers. As in his 

 native state he preferred tops of high trees, so in 

 confinement he always remained at the top of his cage. 

 When descending, which was done but rarely, he al- 

 ways climbed down backwards : he never walked up- 

 right, and his tail was always pendent. We have 

 occasionally seen this pretty little species in small parties 

 in the forests of Brazil, — where their manners seemed 

 to resemble those of the striated monkey, — bounding with 

 incredible rapidity from tree to tree, uttering sharp but 

 weak cries of alarm, and apparently dispersing at the 

 first appearance of strangers. 



The silky monkey scarcely measures, in total length, 

 two feet, of which the tail alone occupies one. The 

 whole of the hair is of a bright yellow colour, resembling 

 yellow silk, and is of a very fine, soft, and long texture : 

 round the face it is much lengthened, and thus forms a 

 mane, not unlike that of a lion in miniature ; near the 



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