562 



MAMMALIA. 



number of exercises, serious or burlesque, which they execute 

 with impertiu'bable coolness and comical gravity. 



In ordinary circumstances the voice of the Sapajous is soft, 

 and somewhat like that of the Ateles ; but under the influence 

 of excitement, either anger or pleasure, it is the reverse. When 

 teased, it emits a kind of plaintive wailing, which has obtained 

 for it the name of Weeper Monkey. They have also been desig- 

 nated Musk Monkeys, in consequence of the musky odour they 

 exhale. With regard to the denomination of Sajou, which is 

 sometimes employed, it is simply an abbreviation of Sapajou. 



It is difficult to ascertain the number of species of Sapajous, for 



Fig. 'MS.— The Sai iC'cltus capucinus). 



there exists an intinite variety of them, and it is rare to meet two 

 individuals which are exactly alike. Naturalists are, therefore, 

 greatly divided on this point, some taking for distinct species what 

 others will only admit to be varieties. Is. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire 

 has described fourteen species of Sapajous, divided into special 

 groups, according to their having the hair on the head lying 

 smoothly, disposed like a brush, or standing on end, erect like a 

 plume, or arranged in a circular tuft. The most common are the 

 Brown Sapajou, the Sai (Fig. 248), and the Capuchin. In 

 Paraguay an Albino of this latter species is found ; it is a noc- 

 turnal animal, which cries in the most lugubrious manner during 

 starry or moonlit nights. 



