COLLECTION OF MAMMALIA. 3l3 



slender limbs and prehensile tails, can take the 

 most varied attitudes. 



Below are the sakis. or night apes, to which 

 a tufted tail, and long hair covering their body, 

 give a peculiar appearance. One of the most 

 remarkable is the capuchin of Orinoco, so named 

 because of its long beard. M. de Humboldt, who 

 first described it, after having observed it living 

 in America, gave it the name of chyropotes, from 

 two greek words, signifying hand and think; 

 because, when about to drink, this animal takes 

 the liquid into the hollow of its hand, and 

 pours it into its mouth, taking great care not to 

 wet its beard (i). 



On the third shelf of this case are placed the 

 numerous species of ouistiti, very small monkies, 

 of a pleasing form, differently coloured, very 

 easy to bring up, and much sought for in Europe, 

 on account of their genteelness. 



Lastly, in the bottom of the two cases we see 

 the lemurs, nearly allied to the apes in habits and 

 movements, but differing from them by having 

 their muzzle as long as that of the fox. They all 

 come from Madagascar and the neighbouring 

 islands : the most remarkable species are the raau- 

 cauco [lemur catta), the lemur macauco and the 



(i) The individual now before us, is that which M. de Humboldt 

 observed, during his travels in Orinoco. 



