Chap. V. 
NIGHT-APES. 
315 
the lead of all the South American monkeys in intel- 
ligence and docility, and the Coaita has perhaps the 
most gentle and impressible disposition ; but the Pa- 
rauacu, although a dull, cheerless animal, excels all in 
this quality of capability of attachment to individuals 
of our own species. It is not wanting, however, in in- 
telligence as well as moral goodness, proof of which was 
furnished one day by an act of our little pet. My 
neighbour had quitted his house in the morning without 
taking Parauacu with him, and the little creature 
having missed its friend, and concluded, as it seemed, 
that he would be sure to come to me, both being in the 
habit of paying me a daily visit together, came straight 
to my dwelling, taking a short cut over gardens, trees, 
and thickets, instead of going the roundabout way of 
the street. It had never done this before, and we 
knew the route it had taken only from a neighbour 
having watched its movements. On arriving at my 
house and not finding its master, it climbed to the top 
of my table, and sat with an air of quiet resignation 
waiting for him. Shortly afterwards my friend entered, 
and the gladdened pet then jumped to its usual perch 
on his shoulder. 
Owl-faced Night Apes. — A third interesting genus of 
monkeys, found near Ega, are the Nyctipitheci, or night 
apes, called Ei-a by the Indians. Of these I found two 
species, closely related to each other but nevertheless 
quite distinct, as both inhabit the same forests, namely, 
those of the higher and drier lands, without mingling 
with each other or intercrossing. They sleep all day 
long in hollow trees, and come forth to prey on insects 
