CLASS I. MAMMALIA: OEDER 2. QUADRUMANA. 
103 
THE ATELBS, OR SPIDER MONKEY. 
are white, but the most part black — some have beards, others none. These monkeys are very 
droll, and performed a thousand grotesque postures as we traversed the woods. When they 
are unable to leap from one tree to another, on account of the distance, or the tree being separated 
"by a river, their dexterity is very surprising. The whole family form a kind of cham, locking tail 
in tail, or hand in hand ; and one of them holding the branch above, the rest swing down, balan- 
cing to and fro like a pendulum, until the u.ndermost is enabled to catch hold of the lower branches 
of some neighboring tree. AVhen the monkey below has fixed his hold, the one above lets 
go, and thus comes undermost in turn; but, creeping up along the chavi, attains the next 
branches of the tree like the rest ; and thus they all take possession without ever coming to the 
ground." 
This account has been doubted by some naturalists, but we are told by Mrs. Loudon that a 
similar feat is often performed by these monkeys in the menagerie of the Zoological Gardens at 
London. Modern travelers tell us that monkeys of this kind do actually cross rivers by forming 
a chain attached to the overhanging branches of the trees on one side. When the chain is long 
enough, they give it a swinging motion, which enables the lowest monkey to catch hold of the 
limbs on the other side. He mounts till the chain is drawn straight from tree to tree, MrheJi the 
opposite monkey lets go, and the whole group are transported across the stream without touching 
the water. 
The ateles are generally very slender, the body not being more than a foot in length. They 
generally feed on insects, but they also catch small fishes and shell-fish, such as mussels and oys- 
ters : they crush the shells of the latter by pounding them between two stones. They are remark- 
ably intelligent, gentle in their manners, and exceedingly light and graceful in their movements. 
The manner in which they put forth their long slender claws has given them the title of Spider 
Moiikeys — a name which has sometimes been erroneously applied to the eriodes. They are fond 
of the society of man, and though sad of aspect, are confiding and aff"ectionate. Their voice is a 
sort of flute-like whistle, often compared to the notes of birds. They are great favorites in the 
menageries. 
Mr. Gardiner gives the following account of this species : " Those that live in the vicinity of the 
Brazilian plantations make sad havoc in the fields of Indian corn. Their want of a fore-finger or 
thumb seems to be made up by the handiness of another member, for in carrying off their plunder,, 
they will take an ear of corn in the mouth, one in the arms, and a third in the prehensile tail 1" 
