100 THE SPEECH OF MONKEYS. 



I had ever seen a spider-monkey show any sign 

 of resentment. On another occasion, when this 

 same specimen saw a brilliant peacock near the 

 window by her cage, the sounds which she made 

 at that strange object were loud, clear, and varied. 



I have read with surprise an account of a spider- 

 monkey which Dr. Gardner had with him in his 

 travels through South America. He describes 

 it as the most intelligent of all monkeys, but I 

 cannot believe that his experience with monkeys 

 is sufficient to rank him as an authority on that 

 subject. I do not pretend, however, to know all 

 that there is to be known concerning this species ; 

 but so far as my study of them goes they scarcely 

 laugh, cry, or show any sign of emotion. They 

 do not usually resent anything; they are harm- 

 less and timid. Their long, lean, half-clad limbs 

 look like the ghost of poverty, and their slow, 

 cautious movements like decrepitude begging 

 alms. They would be objects of pity if they only 

 had sense enough to know how nature has 

 slighted them. 



I have recently received a letter from Mr. A, 

 E. McCall, of Bath, New York, inclosing a pho- 

 tograph of a monkey of this kind by the name 

 of Jess. The gentleman tells me that he has 



