THE RED-FACED SPIDER MONKEY 



(A teles paniscus) 



In this animal and its allies we find the highest type of the New World 

 monkeys, which are readily distinguished from those of the Old World 

 by the broad partition between the nostrils, which open sideways, those 

 of the Old World apes and monkeys being separated by a narrow 

 partition as in man, and looking forwards. The New World monkeys 

 never have seat-pads or cheek-pouches, but it is only among some of 

 them that one finds the prehensile tail, which attains its greatest per- 

 fection in the Spider Monkeys. 



It is bare for a considerable distance on the under-surface at the 

 end, and is very sensitive, and amusingly independent in its action, 

 often being raised in front of the monkey's head, and taking hold before 

 the hands, in a way which irresistibly reminds one of the proverbial 

 tail which tried to wag the dog. It seems, indeed, that one of these 

 monkeys whose tail is injured loses its nerve to a great extent, thus 

 showing the great dependence it places on its "fifth hand," which is 

 not only useful to swing by, but will grasp and bring to hand objects 

 a little distance off. The actual hands of the monkey are somewhat 

 imperfect, as the thumb is wanting, as in the Guerezas of the Old 

 World ; the great toe, however, is well developed, but not opposable 

 to the other toes as in Old World monkeys, a peculiarity which runs 

 through the family. All the typical New World monkeys also have 

 four more teeth than the Old World ones, there being an extra pre-molar 

 on each side of both jaws. 



The Spider Monkey, like all American monkeys, is a forest animal ; 

 it frequents the tops of high trees, where it moves about in an erect 

 position, in this, as in its slender form, recalling the Gibbons of the 

 Old World. Its food consists chiefly of fruit, and it does not appear 



