PHILIPPINE MONKEY. 69 



It appears but seldom by day-time, and on that 

 account is supposed to be dim-sighted by day. 

 It commonly moves by springing or skipping, 

 and that more readily either backwards or ob- 

 liquely than forwards. It is said to live on char- 

 coal, &c. but this is false % since it feeds on the 

 Indian fig and other fruits. 



" A represents it sitting, and eating with its 

 right hand, like a Monkey. 



" B, shews it climbing a tree. 



" C, sitting in the manner it appears when 

 frighted. 



fc D, walking, with its young, which it carries 

 tied to its belly, while sucking, with twigs of a 

 climbing plant, called Pain ago, and which the 

 Indians recommend as good against relapses into 

 sickness. " 



A description so particular seems to imply that 

 Camelli had himself seen the animal, or, at least, 

 that his authority was unquestionable. It is, 

 however, a singular circumstance that no farther 

 intelligence seems to have been obtained concern- 

 ing it, and the species accordingly remains du- 

 bious. From some parts of the description, viz. 

 the protuberant eye, the nocturnal appearance of 



* There was surely no occasion for Camelli to tell us that this is 

 false. To live on charcoal is probably a popular saying or jest 

 among the Indians. When the Chinese mountebanks were ha- 

 ranguing the people in the streets of Pekin, during the procession 

 of the English embassy, they affirmed that among the presents for 

 the emperor were an elephant of the size of a monkey, and a cock 

 that fed upon charcoal. 



