THE M A RIM ONDA . 
77 
clutching the boughs, and at the same time slightly lengthen the chain. They then clamber 
up the tree as high as the chain will stretch, or the boughs bear the strain, and take a firm 
hold of a tough branch. A second signal is now given, and the monkey on the opposite bank 
relaxing his hold, the entire line of monkeys swings across the river, perhaps slightly duck- 
ing the lowermost in the passage. Once arrived, the lower monkeys drop to the ground, while 
the others catch at branches, and break their connection with the much-enduring individual 
at the top. When the last monkey has secured itself, the leaders descend the tree, and the 
whole troop proceed on their march. 
Those who have witnessed this curious scene, say that it is a most amusing affair, and 
that there is a considerable comic element in it, on account of the exuberant spirits of the 
younger and less staid individuals, who delight in playing off little practical jokes on the com- 
ponent parts of the bridge in their passage ; knowing that there is no opportunity for imme- 
diate retaliation, and trusting to escape ultimately in the confusion that follows the renewal of 
the march. 
The Coaita is by no means a large animal, measuring very little more than a foot from the 
nose to the root of the tail, while the tail itself is two feet in length. Its color is very dark 
and glossy ; so dark, indeed, as to be almost black. The hair varies much in length and 
density. On the back and the outside of the limbs it hangs in long drooping locks, forming a 
thick covering through which the skin cannot be seen. But on the abdomen the hair is quite 
scanty, and is so thinly scattered that the skin is plainly visible. The skin of the face is of a 
dark copper color. 
The Coaita seems to be as much averse to the intrusion of strangers into its domains as 
the African monkeys, whose proceedings have been already narrated. Banding together in 
large troops, these monkeys will assault a stranger with great vigor. Their first proceeding 
upon the approach of any intruder, whether man or beast, is to descend to the lower branches 
of their trees, and to satisfy themselves by a close inspection, whether the object be a friend 
or a trespasser. Having decided on the latter point of view, they re-ascend to their strong- 
hold, and commence an assault by pelting with sticks, and keep up their attacks, until they 
fairly worry the intruder out of their dominions. 
Another example of this wonderful group of monkeys is found in the Maeimoxda ; an 
inhabitant, like the two last-named animals, of Central America, and found in greatest num- 
bers in Spanish Guiana, where, according to Humboldt, it fills the place of the Coaita. 
The general shape, the formation of its limbs, and the long prehensile tail, point it out at 
once as another of the spider monkeys. It is certainly a very appropriate name for these ani- 
mals. Their heads are so small, their bodies so short, their limbs so slender, and their tail so 
limb-like, that the mind unconsciously draws a parallel between these monkeys and the long- 
legged spiders that scuttle so awkwardly over the ground, and are so indifferent respecting 
their complement of legs. 
The resemblance holds good even when the monkey is at rest, or even when it only appears 
before the eye in an illustration. But when the creature begins to walk on level ground, 
and especially if it be hurried, its clumsy movements are so very spider-like, that the simili- 
tude is ten times more striking. Be it remarked, that both creatures are supposed to be 
placed in uncongenial circumstances. The spider is deft and active enough among the many 
threads of its air-suspended nets, as is the monkey among the slight twigs of the air-bathed 
branches. But when both animals are subjected to circumstances which are directly opposed 
to their natural mode of existence, they become alike awkward, and alike afford subjects of 
mirth. 
The mode by which a spider monkey walks on level ground is rather singular, and diffi- 
cult to describe, being different from that which is employed by the large apes. They do not 
set the sole of either paw, or hand, flat upon the ground, but, turning the hinder feet inwards, 
they walk upon their outer sides. The reverse process takes place with the fore-paws, which 
are twisted outwards, so that the weight of the animal is thrown upon their inner edges. 
It will easily be seen how very awkward an animal must be which is forced to employ so 
complicated a means for the purpose of locomotion. Although it has been already stated that 
