ANIMAL PETS, IN AND OUT OF DOORS 51 



defined as a small American Monkey which has lost its wisdom 

 teeth." 



Another distinguishing feature which it is important to recognize 

 is one concerning the fingers and toes, for, with the exception of 

 the so-called great toe, the Marmoset possesses pointed claws in place 

 of somewhat flattened nails. Among the Marmosets, too, we meet 

 with animals having a ringed tail as in the Lemurs and others whose 

 characteristics we have already considered. In scientific sequence 

 the Marmosets come before the Lemurs, and it is in the former group 

 that we make acquaintance for the first time in the great tree of 

 animal life with creatures which are the possessors of caudal appen- 

 dages ringed with alternate dark and light bands. Another charac- 

 teristic feature is the wealth of hair which flourishes in the region 

 of the ears of all three kinds illustrated. 



Squirrel-like in many of their ways, Marmosets have longer and 

 stronger limbs behind than in front. They travel about in small 

 troops, being arboreal in their habits, and feed upon insects and 

 fruit. In their breeding habits these creatures also differ from their 

 Monkey cousins, giving birth to two or three young ones instead of 

 a single individual. 



The Black-eared species (Fig. 41) well deserves the name, as the 

 picture depicts^ the hairy black ears being particularly noticeable. 

 This Marmoset comes from South-Eastern Brazil, and it will be 

 noticed that the head and neck, as well as the tufts of long hair on 

 the ears, are quite black. There are a number of different species 

 of Marmosets as well as varieties whose exact pedigree it is often 

 difficult to determine, but attention may be drawn, before passing 

 on, to the beautiful coat with which the Lion Marmoset (Fig. 42) is 

 clothed, and also to the Pinch^ Marmoset (Fig. 43). This latter 

 animal is quite a small species, measuring, exclusive of the black 

 tail, some seven inches only in length. It has small ears, which, 

 as will be seen by referring to Fig. 42, are hidden by the mass of 

 silky fur with which the sides of the face and the crown of the head 

 are clothed. The general body colour is brownish-tawny, with red 

 and black variations on the back. On the under parts the coloration 

 is lighter, the neck, breast and lower parts being yellowish, standing 

 out in strong contrast from the otherwise dark coat. It will be 

 noticed, too, that the hands and feet are yellowish-brown. 



The Marmosets, it should be noted, are split into two groups, 

 those in the Short-tusked section having tusks which are not longer 



E 2 



