36 



NATURAL HISTOET. 



and open downward. This makes a great difference in 

 the aspect of the face. The monkeys of the Old World 

 have cheek-pouches — that is, their cheeks are so loose 

 and bag-like that they can stow away in them quite a 

 quantity of nuts and other fruits as they gather them. 

 These are not seen in American monkeys. The tails of 

 American monkeys are in most species very long, and in 

 many of them it is used as a sort of fifth hand in climb- 

 ing. They are inhabitants of the northern half of South 

 America. They are especially abundant in the vast for- 

 est-plains between the Orinoco and the Amazon. They 

 live in trees, and pass from one tree to another with the 

 same facility that squirrels do with us.* 



53. I will notice but three of the many species. The 

 Coaita Spider Monkey, Fig. 16, uses its tail, as you see, 



Coaita Spider Monkey. 



in climbing. It has been known to hang to a branch by 

 it for some time after being killed by a shot. It uses its 

 tail also to feel with, and to seize small things, such as 

 eggs. For these purposes the end is destitute of hair, 

 and is very sensitive. This animal is easily chilled, and 



* Animals that live thus are said to be arboreal in their habits, from 

 the Latin word arbor, tree. 



