2050 Quadrupeds. 



from three to four inches in length and terminate in a point, the air is driven ; the 

 fifth pouch is in the aperture of the arytenoid cartilage and is situated between the 

 pyramidal sacs, of the same form bnt shorter ; and the sixth pouch is formed by the 

 bony drum itself: within this drum the voice acquires the doleful tone above alluded 

 to. But we are becoming anatomical and soporifical ; no more, then, of this ' evening 

 drum,' and turn we to that grotesque race, the Sapajous. 



" They are slender, mild in disposition, flat in face, long in tail, and spidery in ge- 

 neral appearance. The genus Ateles of M. Geoffroy St. Hilaire stands first upon the 

 roll. With anterior hands, either entirely deprived of thumbs, or only supplied with 

 mere rudiments, and weak, long limbs, justifying their popular names of 'spider 

 monkeys,' they are compensated by a prehensile tail of such exquisite sensibility and 

 power, that it may be almost considered a fifth hand. For a length of six or seven 

 inches from the tip, this is naked ; and, on the under surface, it is comparatively cal- 

 lous for the purpose of prehension. Humboldt asserts that the animal can introduce 

 it, without turning its head, into narrow chinks or clefts, and hook out any substance ; 

 but he never saw it employed to convey food to the mouth, though the natives will 

 have it that the monkey goes a fishing with it. Leap the species of this genus cannot, 

 or, at most, but very imperfectly ; this tail of all work, however, amply makes amends, 

 for by it they hang suspended from the branches or swing themselves from bough to 

 bough, and from tree to tree, with the utmost agility. Dampier relates, and his state- 

 ments are generally worthy of credit, that, when troops of them have occasion to cross 

 rivers, they look out for a point where the trees are most lofty and project farthest 

 over the water. Having arrived at such a place, they climb to the boughs best suited 

 to their purpose, and form a long chain by grasping the tails of each other. This 

 chain hangs free at the lower end, while it is held on at the top, and the living pen- 

 dulum is swung backwards and forwards, till it acquires sufficient vibration to carry 

 the lower end to the opposite bank. Then the lowest joint catches hold of the first 

 branch within his reach, and mounts as high as he can. As soon as he has made him- 

 self fast, the upper joint on the other side lets go, and the whole conjoined ' tail ' 

 swings, and is carried safely over. Humboldt and Bonpland saw some of them which 

 inhabit the banks of the Orinoco suspended in great numbers from the trees, and 

 hanging on to each other by tail and hands in the most ridiculous groups. 



" The Quata, or, as the French write the word, Coaita, is said to unite activity 

 with intelligence, gentleness, prudence and penetration. To be sure the Quatas will, 

 when they meet with a learned traveller, or any other strange animal, descend to the 

 lower branches of their trees to examine the phenomenon, and, when they have satis- 

 fied their curiosity, pelt the phenomenon aforesaid, to get rid of him or it : but that 

 they be sensible and trustworthy is proved by Acosta, who has immortalised the Quata 

 belonging to the Governor of Carthagena. This domestic was regularly sent to the 

 tavern for wine. They who sent him put an empty pot into one hand and the money 

 into the other ; whereupon he went spidering along to the tavern, where they could by 

 no means get his money from him till they had filled his pot with wine. As this Ga- 

 nymede of the Governor came back with his charge, certain idle children would occa- 

 sionally meet him in the street and cast stones at him ; whereupon he would set down 

 his pot and cast stones at them, ' till he had assured his way, then would he return 

 to carry home his pot. And what is more, although he was a good bibber of wine, 

 yet would he never touch it till leave was given him.' We are sorry to add that this 

 amiable genus is considered very good eating. Humboldt frequently saw the broiled 



