530 



the fore hands are white without, and of a glossy 

 black within. It is in these marks, or white 

 spots, the missionaries think they recognize the 

 veil, the neckerchief, and the gloves of a widow 

 in mourning. The character of this little mon- 

 key, which sits up on it's hinder extremities only 

 when eating, is very little indicated in it's ap- 

 pearance. It has a wild and timid air ; it often 

 refuses the aliments that are offered to it, even 

 when tormented by a ravenous appetite. It has 

 little inclination for the society of other mon- 

 keys. The sight of the smallest sairniri puts it 

 to flight. It's eye denotes great vivacity. We 

 have seen it remain whole hours motionless 

 without sleeping, and attentive to every thing 

 that was passing around. But this wildness and 

 timidity are merely apparent. The viudita alone, 

 and left to itself, becomes furious at the aspect 

 of a bird. It then climbs and runs with asto- 

 nishing rapidity; darts upon it's prey like a cat ; 

 and kills whatever it can seize. This monkey, 

 very rare, and very delicate, is found on the 

 right bank of the Oroonoko a in the granitic 

 mountains that rise behind the mission of Santa 

 Barbara. It inhabits also the banks of the 

 Guaviare, near San Fernando de Atabapo. 



The viudita accompanied us on our whole voy- 

 age on the Cassiquiare and the Rio Negro, pass- 

 ing the cataracts twice. In order to study the 

 manners of animals, it is a great advantage to 



