THE SAKIS. 
191 
the other species (N. felinus), which was most amusingly tame. It was as lively and nimble as the 
Cebi, but not so mischievous, and far more confiding in its disposition, delighting to be caressed by all 
persons who came into the house ; but its owner, the municipal judge of Ega (Dr. Carlos Mariani), had 
treated it for many weeks with the greatest kindness, allowing it to sleep with him at night in liis 
hammock, and to nestle in his bosom half the day as he lay reading. It was a great favourite with 
every one, from the cleanliness of its habits and the prettiness of its features and ways. My own pet 
was kept in a box, in which was placed a broad-moutlied glass jar. Into this it would dive, head 
foremost, when any one entered the room, turning round inside, and thrusting forth its inquisitive face 
an instant afterwards to stare at the intruder. It was very active at night, venting at frequent 
intervals a hoarse cry, like the suppressed barking of a Dog, and scampering about the room, to the 
length of its tether, after Cockroaches and Spiders. In climbing between the box and the wall, it 
straddled the space, resting its hands on the palms and tips of the outstretched fingers, with the 
knuckles bent at an acute angle, and thus mounted to the top with the greatest facility. Although 
seeming to prefer insects, it ate all kinds of fruit, but would not touch raw or cooked meat, and was 
very seldom thirsty. I was told by persons who had kept these Monkeys loose about the house, that 
they cleared the chamber of Bats, as well as insect vermin. When approached gently, my Ei-a 
allowed itself to be caressed, but when handled roughly it always took alarm, biting severely, 
striking out with its little hands, and making a hissing noise like a Cat. As already related, 
my pet was killed by a jealous Caiarara Monkey, which was kept in the house at the same time.” 
THE RED-FOOTED DOUROUCOULI * 
This night-loving Monkey has short hair, and a cylindrical tail, and looks like one of the Lemurs. 
It has rufous hands and feet, the ear-conchas are large and prominent, and almost hairless. It 
inhabits Nicaragua. 
Another species t is quite nocturnal in its habits, coming out after dark only in search of food in 
the Peruvian valleys. 
THE SAKIS. I 
Humboldt was much impressed with the resemblance of some of these Monkeys in the face to man. 
One of them, the Capuchin of the Orinoco, is certainly strangely human in its appearance. The eyes 
have, according to Broderip, a mingled expression of melancholy and fierceness. There is a long, 
thick beard, and as this conceals the retreating chin, the face and forehead are much upon a line. 
Strong, active, and fierce, lie is tamed with the greatest difficulty, and when angered he raises 
himself on his hinder extremities, grinds his teeth in his wrath, and leaps around his antagonist 
with threatening gestures. “If any malicious person wishes to see this Homunculus,” writes that 
entertaining author, “ in a most devouring rage, let him wet the Capuchin’s beard, and he will find 
that such an act is an unforgivable sin.” It is so anxious not to wet this fine ornament to its face, 
that instead of putting the mouth to the stream when it desires to drink, it lifts the water in the 
hollow of its hand, inclines its head on its shoulder, and, carrying the draught to its mouth, drinks 
slowly, and with deliberation. This Saki is called Pithecia cheiropotes (the Hand-drinking Monkey). 
Its length, including the bushy tail, is about two feet nine inches. It is of a brownisli-red colour,, 
and the hair of the forehead is directed forwards. The body hair is long, and the beard, which 
arises below the ears, is brown, inclining to black, and it covers the upper part of the breast. The 
back is red, the eyes are sunken, and the nails are, with the exception of those of the thumbs, more 
like claws. They are very solitary, and often are found without their mates. 
This Saki has, in common with many others, certain structural peculiarities which group them all 
in the genus Pithecia. For instance, the incisor or front teeth are rather prominent obliquely, and 
the lower are long. The canine teeth are long, thick, and cone-shaped. The crushing, or molar 
teeth, are small. The tail is very hairy, and the ears are large. The ribs are broader relatively 
in this genus than in any other of the Monkeys. 
Nyctipithecus rufipes. 
f Nyctipithecus oseryi. 
J Pithecia. 
