THE MARIMONDA. 21 
unconsciously draws a parallel between these monkeys and the long legged 
spiders that scuttle so awkwardly over the ground, and are so indifferent 
respecting their complement of legs. 
_ The resemblance holds good even when the monkey is at rest, or when 
it only appears before the eye in an illustration. But when the creature 
begins to walk on level ground, and especially if 1t be hurried, its clumsy 
movements are so very spider-like, that the similitude is ten times more 
striking. Be it remarked, that both creatures are supposed to be placed in 
uncongenial circumstances. The spider is deft and active enough among 
the many threads of its air-suspended nets, as is the monkey among the slight 
twigs of the air-bathed branches. But when both animals are subjected to 
circumstances which are directly opposed to their natural mode of existence, 
they become alike awkward, and alike afford subjects of mirth. 
— 
7 SN eth bine 
MARIMONDA.—( Aféeles Belzebuth.) 
The mode by which a Spider Monkey walks on level ground is rather 
singular, and difficult to describe, being different from that which is employed 
by the large apes. They do not set the sole of either paw, or hand, flat upon 
the ground, but, turning the hinder feet inwards, they walk upon their outer 
sides. The reverse process takes place with the fore-paws, which are twisted 
outwards, so.that the weight of the animal is thrown upon their inner 
edges. ‘ 
it will easily be seen how very awkward an animal must be which is forced 
to employ so complicated a means for the purpose of locomotion. Although 
the Spider Monkey has been known to walk in a manner much more steady 
than that of any other monkey, yet this bipedal progression was only em- 
ployed for a few paces, and with a haven of rest in view in the shape of a 
window-sill, on which the creature could rest its hands. The tail is also 
curled over the head, like the letter S, by way of a balance, 
J 
