SOUTH AMERICA. 



443 



The Guinea Pig [Caara Cohaya) is smaller than the rabbit, and its legs are shorter. The 



ears are short, thin, and transparent ; 

 the hair is lilvc that of a sucking pig, 

 whence it has taken the name ; and it 

 wants even the vestiges of a tail. In oth- 

 er respects, it lias some similitude to the. 

 rabbit. The Couando^ or Brazilian Por- 

 cupine (Synethercs prcliensilis) , is much 

 smaller that the porcupine of Asia ; its 

 quills are 4 times shorter, its snout more 

 unlike that of a hare ; its tail is long enough 

 to catch by the branches of trees, and 

 hold by them. It may be easily tamed, 

 and is to be found chiePiy in the southern 

 parts of America ; yet is not wanting 

 Brazilian Porcupine. aJgQ J,-) northern. 



The JMonkeys of the new continent difler from those of the old, in the make of their nos- 

 trils, in their having one tooth more in each set, and in having no pouches on each side of the 

 jaw. They differ also from each other, a part of them making no use of their tails to hang by ; 

 while others of them have the tail very strong and muscular, and serving by way of a fifth 

 hand, to hold by. Those with muscular holding tails, are called Sapajous ; those with feeble, 

 useless tails are called Sagoins. Of both there are several sorts. The first of the sapajous is 

 the Warine, or the Brazilian Qiiariba (JMycetes fusciis). This monkey is as large as a fox, 

 with long, black hair, and remarkable for the loudness of its voice. It is the largest of the 

 monkey kind to be found in America. The second is the Coati [Atehsatcr) ; which may be 

 distinguished from the rest by having no thumb, and consequently but 4 fingers on the 2 fore- 

 paws. The tail, however, supplies the defects of the hand ; and with this the animal slings 

 itself from one tree to another, with surprising rapidity. The third is the Sajoii [Cebus apella), 

 distinguished from the rest of the sapajous by its yellowish, flesh-colored face. The fourth is 

 the Sai (C capucinus) . It is somewhat larger than the sajou, and has a broader muzzle. It 

 IS called also the beioailer, from its peculiar manner of lamenting when either thieatened or 

 beaten. Of the sagoins, or monkeys that do not held by the tail, is the Samari., or Aurora 

 (Sanguinas sciureas)., which is of a fine orange color, with 2 circles of flesh round the eyes. 

 It is a very tender, delicate animal, and held in high price. The next and the largest is the Saki, 

 or Cagui [PiUecia)., so remarkable for the length of the hair on its tail, that it has been often 

 termed the Fox-tailed Monkey. It is of diflerent sizes, some being twice as large as others. 

 The third of the kind is the Tamarin {Midas)., which is usually black, with the feet yellow. 

 Some, however, are found all over brown, spotted with yellow. The fourth is the Jflstiti, or 

 Striated Monkey (Jacchus)., and remarkable for the large tufts of hair upon its face, and its an- 

 nulated tail. The fifth is the marikina (Midas rosalia)., with a mane round the neck, and a 

 bunch of hair at the end of the tail, like a lion. The sixth is called the Pincho (M. cedipus), 

 with the face of a beautiful black, and white hair, that descends on each side of the face, like 

 that of a man. The last, least, and most beautiful of all is the Mico (Jacchus argentatus) ; the 

 hair on its body is of a beautiful silver color, while the tail is of a deep brown, inclining to 

 blackness. The Indians eat tlie flesh of these animals. 



The Bats are surprisingly numerous, and are powerful instruments in the system of nature, to 

 keep the myriads of flying insects within due limits ; some, however, live almost entirely 

 upon fruits, while yet others enter the stables or houses and suck the blood of the cattle, or 

 even of men. The Vampire or Spectre-bat {Vampirus sanguisuga), is the largest and most 

 dangerous of these last, and, according to the celebrated traveler, La Condamine, it has wholly 

 destroyed the large cattle introduced by Europeans, in some districts ; it attacks the victim 

 during sleep, and without giving pain, extracts large quantities of blood. The spectre-bat is 

 about the size of a pigeon, and some have been found which measured 30 inches in extent. 



The woods of this country are full of venomous reptiles and serpents, and Caymans or Jllliga- 

 tors {Crocodilus palpebrosus) , are numerous on the banks of the rivers. The Boa, or as it is call- 

 ed in the country, the Moma, is a large, amphibious snake, about 40 feet in length, and 4 or 5 

 in circumference ; it is indifferent as to its prey, and destroys, when hungry, anv animal that 

 comes within its reach ; the negroes consider it excellent food, and its fat is converted in'c oil 



