MARMOSETS. 
I 93 
The silver marmoset has large and nearly naked ears, covered on both sides 
near the margin doth long hairs, forming a double fringe instead of a pencil. 
The fur of this elegant little creature is soft and silky, and either pure white or 
yellowish-white in colour. In the white variety the limbs and tail are, however, 
invariably yellowish; while in the variety in which the fur of the body is yellowish, 
that covering the limbs, tail, and under-parts may be chestnut-brown. These two 
varieties were regarded by Dr. Gray as distinct species, but this is not generally 
admitted by other writers. 
Black-Tailed This species (If melanura) is readily distinguished from the 
Marmoset, preceding by the absence of the fringe of hairs on the large and flesh- 
coloured ears, and likewise by the black tail. Usually the general colour of the 
fur is ashy-brown, paler on the front of the body, and whitish on the front of the 
thighs and loins; while the head and limbs are dark brown. There is, however, 
a variety which is entirely white, with the exception of the characteristic black tail. 
It is represented in the top figure of the illustration on p. 197. 
Of this species, which he mentions under the name of Midas argentatus, 
Mr. Bates writes that it is one of the rarest of the American marmosets. 
“ Indeed,” says this writer, “ I have not heard of its being found anywhere except 
near Cameta, where I once saw three individuals, looking like so many white 
kittens, running along a branch in a cacao grove; in their motions they precisely 
resembled the M. ursulus,” of which a description is given later on. “ I saw after¬ 
wards a pet animal of this species, and heard that there were many so kept, and 
that they were esteemed as great treasures. The one mentioned was full-grown, 
although it measured only 7 inches in length of body. It was covered with 
long, white, silky hairs; the tail being blackish and the face flesh-coloured. It was 
a most timid and sensitive little thing. The woman who owned it carried it 
constantly in her bosom, and no money would induce her to part with her pet. 
She called it Mico (the native name of these animals). It fed from her mouth, and 
allowed her to fondle it freely, but the nervous little creature would not permit 
strangers to touch it. If any one attempted to do so, it shrank back, the whole 
body trembling with fear, and its teeth chattered whilst it uttered its tremulous 
frightened tones. The expression of its features was like that of its more robust 
brother, M. ursulus; the eyes, which were black, were full of curiosity and 
mistrust, and were always kept fixed on the person who attempted to advance 
towards it.” 
The third and last of the three diminutive species constituting 
Pigmy Marmose g rQU p - g j-] |e pigmy marmoset, (If. pygmcea) which is likewise 
found in the primeval forest regions of Brazil. This species is distinguished 
by the smallness of its short ears, which, although slightly hairy on their outer 
surface, have no tuft or fringe of long hairs, and are entirely concealed beneath 
the backwardly-directed and elongated fur of the crown of the head. A further 
distinction is to be found in the presence of darker and lighter rings on the tail. 
The general colour of the body is a tawny or ferruginous brown, more or less 
varied with black and red on the back; the neck, under-parts, and inner surfaces 
of the limbs being yellowish, and the hands and feet yellowish-brown. 
Three specimens of the pigmy marmoset were obtained by Mr. Bates on the 
vol. i.—13 
