THE MARMOSET. 



89 



ness, becomes filled with life and spirit. The large dull eyes, that shrank from the dazzling 

 rays of the sun, light up with eager animation at eventide ; the listless limbs are instinct with 

 fiery activity, every sense is aroused to keen perception, and the creature sets off on its nightly 

 quest. Such is then its agile address, that it can capture even the quick-sighted and ready- 

 winged flies as they flit by, striking rapid blows at them with its little paws. 



The general color of the Douroucouli is a grayish-white, over which a silvery lustre plays 

 in certain lights. The spine is marked with a brown line, and the breast, abdomen, and inside 

 of the limbs, are marked with a very light chestnut, almost amounting to orange. The face 

 is remarkable for three very distinct black lines, which radiate from each other, and which 

 have earned for the animal the title of "Trivergatus," or "Three-striped." There are but 

 very slight external indications of ears, and in order to expose the organs of hearing, it is 

 necessary to draw aside the fur of the head. 

 On account of this peculiarity, Humboldt 

 separated the Douroucouli from its neighbors, 

 and formed it into a distinct family, which he 

 named "Aotes," or "Earless." 



Guiana and Brazil are the countries where 

 this curious little animal is found. Although 

 by no means an uncommon species, it is not 

 taken very plentifully, on account of its monog- 

 amous habits. The male and his mate may 

 often be discovered sleeping snugly together in 

 one bed, but never in greater numbers, unless 

 there may be a little family at the time. Its 

 cry is singularly loud, considering the small 

 size of the animal which utters it, and bears 

 some resemblance to the roar of the jaguar. 

 Besides this deep-toned voice, it can hiss or 

 spit like an angry cat, mew with something of 

 a cat-like intonation, and utter a guttural, 

 short, and rapidly repeated bark. The fur is 

 used for the purpose of covering pouches and 

 similar articles. 



The beautiful little creature which is so 

 well known by the name of the Marmoset, or 

 Ouistiti, is a native of the same country as the 

 Douroucouli, and is even more attractive in 



its manners and appearance. The fur is long and exquisitely soft, diversified with bold stripes 

 of black upon a ground of white and reddish-yellow. The tail is long and full ; its color is 

 white, encircled with numerous rings of a hue so deep that it may almost be called black. A 

 radia ting tuft of white hairs springs from each side of the face, and contrasts well with the 

 jetty hue of the head. 



On account of the beauty of its fur, and the gentleness of its demeanor when rightly 

 treated, it is frequently brought from its native land, and forced to lead a life of compelled 

 civilization in foreign climes. It is peculiarly sensitive to cold, and always likes to have its 

 house well furnished with soft and warm bedding, which it piles up in a corner, and under 

 which it delights to hide itself. 



The Marmosets do not seem to be possessed of a very large share of intelligence, but yet 

 are engaging little creatures if kindly treated. They are very fond of flies and other insects, 

 and will often take a fly from the hand of the visitor. One of these animals with whom I 

 struck up an acquaintance, took great pleasure in making me catch flies for its use, and taking 

 them daintily out of my hand. When it saw my hand sweep over a doomed fly, the bright 

 eyes sparkled with eager anticipation ; and when I approached the cage, the little creature 

 thrust its paws through the bars as far as the wires would permit, and opened and closed the 





NIGHT-MONKEY, OR DOUROUCOULI.— Nyclipithecus hivirgatus. 



