OEDEE OE QUADEUMANA. 
551 
New. They form an intermediate link between the Lemurs and 
Monkeys. Several authors have even included them in the latter 
family, although they are separated from it by peculiarities 
that cannot be overlooked. They have no hands on the anterior 
members, so far, at least, as the thumb is not opposable to the 
other digits ; and, in addition, their nails are veritable claws, 
analogous to those of the Carnivora, from whence the name of 
Arctopithecis, or Bear-handed Monkeys, given to them by Etienne 
Geoffroy Saint- Hilaire. They have a small round head, and their 
brain does not show any convolutions. Their nostrils are pierced 
laterally in the substance of the muffle, and are consequently well 
separated from each other. The muzzle is short, the ears large 
and hairy. The teeth are thirty-two in number, and the molars 
are furnished with points very like those which distinguish the 
Insectivora. The tail is long, and completely covered with hair, 
and the fur abundant and soft to the touch, and is usually of 
an agreeable colour. 
The Marmosets are widely spread in Guiana and Brazil ; they 
also inhabit, though in smaller numbers, Mexico, the Columbian 
Republic, Southern Peru, and Paraguay. Keeping in small troops 
in the forests, they suspend themselves to the branches of the 
trees by means of their claws, like the Squirrels. They have 
several other points of resemblance to these Rodents, especially 
in their size, their active movements, and their gracefulness. 
Their food consists principally" of insects, to which they add fruits, 
eggs, and even small Birds. At intervals they emit a feeble 
cry, to the sound of which they owe their name, Ouistitis. 
These animals show little aversion to captivity", and easily bear 
the rigours of our climate. The menagerie of the Jardin des 
Plantes, at Paris, possesses specimens which have reproduced. 
This circumstance has established the fact that, contrary to the 
majority of the Quadrumana, in which gestation does not produce 
more than one or two, the females of the Ouistitis have three 
young at a birth. From the observations of Fr. Cuvier, it appears 
that the mother does not manifest for her offspring that tender 
solicitude so touching and beautiful in other animals. 
A French naturalist, Audouin, has likewise submitted the Oui- 
stitis in captivity to interesting observations, which prove that 
their intelligence is remarkable. 
