320 CLASS MAMMALIA. 



it was named by some. They are gregarious about the 

 Cassiquiare and the Rio Negro. The Baron's specimen died 

 from a coup du soleil, which, was not mortal on the instant, 

 but followed by indigestion. 



The Viudita, or Widow monkey, (Simia Lugens, Hum- 

 boldt). With the exception of the Douroucouli, or nocturnal 

 monkey, there is perhaps no species which differs more in 

 his manners and habits from the genus than this, called by 

 the Indians Macavacahon. It measures more than one foot 

 from the nose to the insertion of the tail ; seldom stands 

 on its hinder extremities only, and resembles, when seen 

 at a distance, a little black dog with a white face. 



The Viudita has the head round, the muzzle short, and 

 the physiognomy with an agreeable expression : the hair is 

 soft, shining, and smooths uniform in blackness with the 

 exception of the face, neck and fore-hands, which are 

 whitish, the face being surrounded with a narrow belt 

 of purer white. The nose is short and flat, and the nos- 

 trils are lateral and very large ; the ears are pretty and 

 nearly naked ; the anterior hands are white on the outside 

 but black within, and the posterior are altogether black 

 like the body. The Creoles compare the whiteness of the 

 face, neck, and fore- hands to the veil, handkerchief and 

 gloves of the widow in mourning, whence it is named. 

 The tail is black and a little longer than the body. 



The character of this pretty little animal is in no wise 

 displayed in its appearance. It has a very gentle, timid, 

 and innocent air, and will remain motionless for hours, 

 watching attentively whatever is going on, and is particu- 

 larly unwilling to have its hands touched, which it imme- 

 diately, on doing so, withdraws and hides under the belly. 

 This timidity and this gentleness, however, are deceitful and 

 in appearance only: alone, unrestrained, and unobserved, 

 the Viudita becomes furious at the sight of a small bird, 



