OEDEIi OF QUADEUMANA. 55" 



axletrees ; others tave assimilated it to tlie rolling of a drum. 

 However correct this simile may be, it is certain there is something 

 extremely unnatural about it. Investigation has discovered the 

 cause of this strange physiological phenomenon. The hyoid bone 

 (the bony ring supporting the larynx) in the Howling Monkey is 

 of an immense size ; it is hollow, and forms a kind of drum with 

 thin elastic walls, which greatly increases the intensity of the 

 sounds. This bone occupies an enormous space between the lateral 

 branches of the lower jaw, and beneath it constitutes a voluminous 

 prominence which is hidden by a thick beard. 



With the Howling Monkeys, or Mycetes, the tail is very long, 

 and eminently prehensile. It is hairless on its lower surface 

 towards its terminal portion, and to this circumstance owes its 

 great sensibility. It is, in reality, a fifth hand, which the animal 

 employs with surprising address, either for suspending itself from 

 the branches of trees, or to gather fruits and carry them to its 

 mouth. 



The grasping power of this tail is sufficiently shown in the 

 following trait. The Howling Monkey often darts from a great 

 height, and suddenly stops in the middle of its fall by twisting its 

 tail aroimd some isolated branch ; it thus balances itself in this 

 position for some seconds, and then taking a new spring, it carries 

 itself to a neighbouring limb. Sometimes one of these Monkeys, 

 shot dead, remains suspended by the tail, and thus disappoints 

 the hunter in search of its flesh or fur. 



The Howlers are dull and ferocious. Reduced to confinement, 

 they lose their voice, decline, and die. In a wild state, they con- 

 gregate in small bands, under the leadership of an experienced 

 male, who is entrusted with all the arrangements relative to the 

 general safety. Although timid, they readily allow themselves to 

 be approached ; but if they discover any hostile intention, they 

 flee with rapidity from the intruder. 



Certain authors have asserted that the females of the Mycetes 

 are devoid of maternal sentiment, and that they abandon their 

 young in order to fly more quickly if menaced by danger. Never- 

 theless, all travellers do not think so. Spix was witness to a 

 touching incident to the contrary. He had mortally wounded 

 a female, who carried her progeny on her back. The poor parent 

 fell from branch to branch, and the young one would undoubtedly 



