26 



ANIMALS IN MENAGERIES. 



its natural food, is placed in its sight ; it then becomes 

 animated and eager, darts at it like a rat, and devours it 

 in an instant : at other times it will remain motionless 

 for hours, attentively watching whatever is going on. 

 It seems, however, to have a particular aversion to its 

 hands being touched, since they are immediately with- 

 drawn and hid under its belly. It evinces a great dread 

 of other monkeys, but not those of its own species. 

 Of its native history we are entirely ignorant. 



The usual length of the body is not more than one 

 foot. The head is round, the muzzle short, and the 

 general expression of its physiognomy is agreeable. 

 The colours we have already noticed. The nose is short 

 and flat, and the ears are almost naked ; the hands are 

 nearly white on the outside, but black within; and the 

 hinder hands, or more properly the feet, are entirely 

 black ; the tail is also black, and a little longer than 

 the body. 



The Squirrel Monkey, 



Callithrix sciureus, Cuv. Slmia sciureus, Linn. Carmiri, 

 Buffon. Titi, Humboldt. Squirrel Monkey, Pennant. 



The golden yellow or reddish colour of the fur, or 

 probably the size and activity of the animal, may have 

 occasioned this pretty httle monkey to be likened to a 

 squirrel. Its physiognomy has been termed infantine, 

 having an expression of innocence, and as sometimes 

 exhibiting the same rapid transition from joy to sadness. 

 " If it cannot laugh — the peculiar faculty of man — it can 

 weep ; since, when its fears are excited, the eyes become 

 suddenly suffused with tears, and it seems to appeal only 

 to the softer passions for impunity and protection ;" it 

 is, indeed, seldom to be irritated. All its movements 

 are rapid, light, airy, and graceful. It has a habit of 

 steadfastly watching the mouth of a person while speak- 

 ing ; and if it be allowed to sit on the shoulder, \w'\\\ 

 frequently touch the lips, teeth, or tongue of its master. 

 Like many of the small American monkeys, it is ex-. 



