The naturalist's library

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REESE LIBRARY

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UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

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BIOLOGY

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THE

NATURALIST'S LIBRARY.

EDITED BY

SIR WILLIAM JARDINE, BART.

F.R.S.E., F.L.S., ETC. ETC.

VOL. XXVII.

Jflammalm.

*o no on :

CHATTO & WINDUS, PICCADILLY.

BIOLOGY

LIBRARY

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CONTENTS.

PAGE

MEMOIR OF BUFFON . . .17

ELOGE ON BUFFON ... 37

Natural History of Mbnkeys . . .67

Monkeys of Asia and Africa, or those of the Old

World .... 98
The Black Orang. ^

Troglodites niger. Plate I. 99
The Red or Asiatic Orang-Outang.

Pithecus satyrm. Plate II. (Side View) . 109

Plate II.* (Front View) . 109

The Hoolock.

Hylobates hoolock. Plate III. . . 137
The Siamang.

Hylobates syndactyla. Plate IV. . . 145
The Active Gibbon.

Hylobates ayilis. Plate V. . . 151

The Capped Monkey . . . .153

The Guenons . . , .' . 155
The Kaliau or Proboscis Monkey.

Nasalis larvatus. Plate VI. e ,157

CONTENTS.

PAGE

The Douc or Cochin-China Monkey.

Lasiopyga nemea. Plate VII. . . 160

The Semnopitheci . . . 161

The Simpai.

Semnopithecus melalophos. Plate VIII. . r 163
The Entellus Monkey.

Semnopithecus entellus. Plate IX. . .164

The Negro Monkey . . . 166

Cercopithecus and Cercocebus . . .17*2

The Varied Monkey.

Cercopithecus mona. Plate X. . 173

The Diana Monkey . . . .175

The Red Monkey.

Cercopithecus ruber. Plate XI. . . 177

The Mangabey or White Eyelid Monkey.

Cercocebus fuliginosus. Plate XII. . . 178

The Green Monkey.

Cercocebus sabceus. Plate XIII. . 182

TheMalbrouk . . . .184

The Baboons .... 186

Dog-faced Baboons . . . .187

The Wanderoo Monkey.

Macacus silenus. Plate XIV. . 189

The Pig-tailed Baboon.

Macacus rhcesus. Vignette . . ,190

The Barbary Ape.

Inuus sylvanus. Plate XV. . . 191

The Black Ape . . .192

The Cynocephali .... 194

The Chacma.

Papio comatus. Plate XVI. . . 197

CONTENTS.

*Arl

The Mandril or Kib-nose Baboon.

Papio mormon. Plate XVII. . 200

The Drill.

Papio leucophceus. Plate XVIII. . . 203

>-j

The Monkeys of South America, or those of the New

World .... 2,04

The Howlers ..... 205
The Araguato.

Mycetus ursinus. Plate XIX. . . 208

TheSapajous . . . . .211

The Coaita.

Ateles paniscus. Plate XX. . . 212

TheMarimonda . . . .213

Humboldt's Lagothrix . . . 215

The Horned Sapajou.

Cebus fatuellus. Plate XXI. . . 217

The Large-headed Sapajou.

Cebus monachus. Plate XXII. . 220

The Siamiri.

, Callithrix sciureus. Plate XXIII. . . 222

The Douroucouli.

Aotes trivirgatus. Plate XXIV. . 225

The Couxio.

Pithecia satanas. Plate XXV. . . 230

The Cacajao.

Pithecia melanocephala. Plate XXVI. 233

The Striated Monkey.

Hapalus jacchus. Plate XXVII. . , t#6

The Silky Tamarin.

Midas rosatia. Plate XXVIII. 239

CONTENTS.

PAGF

The Leonine Tamarin.

Midas leonina. Plate XXIX. . . 241

SYNOPSIS. 245

ORDER I. QUADRUMANA . . . 245

Synopsis of the Simiadse. Two Sub-families 245

I. SUB-FAMILY CATARRHINI.

Orangs.

Genus I. Troglodites ... 246

Genus II. Pithecm . . .246

Genus III. Hylobates. Seven Varieties . 247

Guenons.

Genus IV. Presbytis . . .248

Genus V. Colubus. Three Varieties . 248

Genus VI. Nasalis. Two Varieties . 249

Genus VII. Lasiopyga . . 249

Genus VIII. Semnopitfiecus. Six Varieties . 250
Genus IX. Cercopithecus. Twelve Varieties 251

Genus XII. Cercocebus. Six Varieties . 253

Genus XIII. Macacus. Seven Varieties . . 254

Genus XIV. Inuus . . .256

Baboons.

Genus XV. Cynoccphalus. Four Varieties . 256

Genus XVI. Papio. Two Varieties . . 257

JL SUB-FAMILY PLATYRRHINI.
Howlers.

Genus XVII. Mycetes. Seven Varieties , 258
JSapajous.

Genus XVIII. Ateles. Seven Varieties . 260

CONTENTS.

PAOE

Genus XIX. Lagotlirix. Two Varieties . 261

Genus XX. Cebus. Sixteen Varieties . 261

Genus XXI. Callithrix. Eight Varieties . 265
Genus XXII. Aotes . .267

Genus XXIII. Pithecia. Nine Varieties . 267

Genus XXIV. Hapales. Eight Varieties 269

Genus XXV. Midas. Seven Varieties . 270 '

APPENDIX.

The Entellus Monkey . . 275

The Varied Monkey . 276

The Mangabey or White Eyelid Monkey . 278

The Green Monkey . . .280

The Wanderoo Monkey . . .281

TheCoaita . . . .283

The Large-headed Sapajou , . 285

The Siamiri . . . .286

The Striated Monkey . 9 * 288

MEMOIR OF BUFFON.

MEMOIR OF BUFFON.

IT is a remarkable circumstance, that among the
many naturalists whose names at this period are re-
membered from the high reputation of their works,
comparatively few, had their minds early directed by
tlieir parents or guardians to the study of this science,
and by many, it was not commenced before a somevhat
advanced age. The illustrious naturalist whom we
have chosen for the subject of the present memoir, is
an instance among many others ; and although he wag
fortunate in procuring an education of the most liberal
kind, which embraced in its range polite literature and
the sciences, and was extended by means of foreign
travel and the companionship of polished minds, he
had passed his thirtieth year before designing the plan
of his extensive works on nature, and the first branches
of the animal kingdom.

George Louis le Clerc Buffon was born at Mont-
bard* in Burgundy, in September 1 707, and his father,

* Buffoft's house seemed the large habitation of a tradesman
rather thaa the residence of a man of rank. It is in the Higb

18 MEMOIR OF BUITOK,

Benjamin le Clerc Buffon, being a counsellor of Parlia-
ment in the district, naturally wished that his son
should study his own profession, and if possible assist
and succeed him in the discharge of its duties. There
are few existing records of the early life of BufTon ;
and except that he pursued the studies which he
undertook with great ardour and perseverance, we
know little of his youthful habits and propensities.

His first public tuition was at the Jesuit's College of
Dijon, where he was placed to study the profession -of
the law ; but his dislike for this employment, and the
zeal with which he followed the more abstruse sciences,
prevented his father from insisting upon a continua-
tion of his legal studies, and gradually permitted him
to pursue those of his own selecting. Astronomy and
mathematics seem to have been the branches which
chiefly interested him ; and he perused, with per-
severance, the most esteemed works on these subjects.
Euclid was a great favourite ; and he is said to have
been so much engrossed with this author, that he

Street, and the court is behind. You ascend a staircase to go
into the garden, which is raised on the ruins of the ancient man.
eion, of which the walls make the terraces. On the top there still
remains an octagon tower, where Buffbn made his observations on
the reverberations of air. The elevation of this tower is 140 feet
above the level of the little river Braine, which crosses the town.
This singular and picturesque garden is well worthy the notice of the
curious ; and the numerous foreign trees which the illustrious pro-
prietor had collected, form agreeable arbours. MILLIN'S Travel.

MEMOIR o BtJFFOff. 19

always carried a copy in his pocket, and was often
observed to retire from his companions at play, and
to attempt, in some solitary corner, the resolution of
any problem with which he had been perplexed.

This constant study and perseverance, at a period
so early, and when youthful minds are generally most
idly inclined, was attended with very brilliant results.
He is even said to have anticipated Newton in some
of his most remarkable discoveries, and in after life
withheld the circumstances, upon a principle of some
singularity, and at variance with his failing of vanity :
he said, " that nobody was obliged to believe it."

At the college of Dijon he became acquainted
with Lord Kingston, a young nobleman who was tra-
velling, accompanied by a tutor. Buffon fortunately
became acquainted with both ; and the latter, being a
man of considerable attainments, and devoted to the
sciences, found a ready access to the mind of a youth
endowed with such temper and abilities. It was
agreed that he should accompany them in the prose-
cution of their travels, and he became equally accept-
able to his friends, and pleased with their society;
afterwards remarking, that while the one became his
companion in pleasure and amusements, the other
gained his esteem by his more solid qualifications.

They travelled onwards to Italy ; and here, amidst
all that is placid and sublime in nature, or lovely in
the arts, he continued to pursue the more abstracted
departments of science, almost neglecting the artificial

20 MEMOIE OF BTJFFON.

productions ; and at this same period seems to have
imbibed many of the theories and ideas, which fanci^
fully, but eloquently, adorn the chapters of the first
volumes of his great work.

During the period of these travels Buffon lost his
mother ;* and by her death, before he had attained his
majority, succeeded to an income of nearly twelve
thousand pounds yearly. An accession of such amount
to his fortune, enabled him to follow out every design
which his studies had suggested ; but it also allowed
him to pursue, with almost unlimited control, every
indulgence which his inclinations prompted. His
European travels still appear to have been continued,
and after his return to Montbard, being embroiled
in some affair of honour which required his absence
until matters were arranged, he visited Paris and Eng-
land, and did not finally settle at his paternal resi-
dence, till about the age of twenty-five, when he de-
termined quietly to pursue the studies in which he had
so much delighted. He seems to have laid down for
himself, even at this early period, a decided and rigor-
ous division of his time, and to have attended generally
to the Sciences, Natural History, and Polite Literature.

The division of his time and labour is thus detailed
by a modern biographer : " After he was dressed, he
dictated letters, and regulated his domestic affairs ;

The maiden name of his mother was Mademoiselle de
Merlin.

MEMOIR OF EUEEON. 21

and at six o'clock he regulated his studies at the pavi-
lion called the Tower of St Louis. This pavilion was
situated at the extremity of the garden, about a fur-
long from the house ; and the only furniture which it
contained was a large wooden secretary and an arm-
chair. No books or pictures relieved the naked ap-
pearance of the apartment, or distracted the thoughts
of the learned possessor. The entrance was by green
folding-doors, the walls were painted green, and the
interior had the appearance of a chapel, on account of
the elevation of the roof. Within this was another
cabinet, where Buffon resided the greater part of the
year, on account of the coldness of the other apart-
ment, and where he composed the greater number of
his works. It was a small square building, situated
on the side of a terrace, and was ornamented with
drawings of birds and beasts. Prince Henry of Prussia
called it the cradle of natural history ; and Rousseau,
before he entered it, used to fall on his knees and kiss
the threshold. At nine o'clock, Buffon usually took
an hour's rest ; and his breakfast, which consisted of
a piece of bread and two glasses of wine, was brought
to the pavilion. When he had written two hours after
breakfast, he returned to the house. At dinner he
spent a considerable portion of time, and indulged in
all the gayeties and trifles which occurred at table.
After dinner, he slept an hour in his room, took a
solitary walk, and during the rest of the evening, he
either conversed with his family or guests, or sat at

22 MEMOIR OP BTJFFOK.

his desk examining the papers which were submitted
to his judgment. At nine o'clock he went to bed, to
prepare himself for the same routine of judgment and
pleasure. In this manner were spent no fewer than
fifty years of his life."

During the whole period of Buffon's career, we find
him particular and anxious, regarding the purity and
elegance of his style ; and he translated many standard
works in various languages with the view of improving
it. The first of these which he published, was "Hales's
Vegetable Statics," and (from the Latin) an edition
of Newton's Fluxions ; both were accompanied with
appropriate prefaces of considerable length and ability.
The latter work coincided with the turn of mind which
he exhibited in his early studies, and the first was
most likely commenced, with the double purpose of
improving his knowledge in the English language, and
of increasing his acquaintance with the extensive woods
which occupied a great part of his property, and were
of much importance in his annual revenue. At this
time he also instituted and carried through experi-
ments, to prove the relative strength of the different
woods which were used in France for purposes of
public utility, and the best season for cutting the
timber.

The next subject with which he became interested,
was the manner in which the Roman fleet under com-
mand of Marcellus, was set on fire by Archimedes
and which was supposed, could not be accomplished

MEMOIR OP BUFFON. 23

by means of burning mirrors, as has been recorded.*
Buffon commenced his researches with his usual
ardour and perseverance, and his experiments were
eminently successful. They are the most import-
ant which he performed, in those branches uncon-
nected with natural history, and it is probable
that, had he not been appointed Intendant of the
Royal Garden and Cabinet, the various branches of
mathematics, optics, &c., would have received the
greatest part of his attention, and might have been
attended with the most splendid results. We consider
therefore that a short sketch of the progress of these
experiments may be interesting.

Buffon commenced his researches, with the view of
constructing a burning mirror, which would be cap-
able of performing, what had been thought Archimedes
could not have executed ; but, before commencing the
plan, it was necessary to perform many preliminary
experiments, relating to the loss of light by reflection,
and the best materials which could be used for the con-

* When the fleet of Marcellus was within bow-shot, the old
man (Archimedes) brought out a hexagonal mirror which he had
made : he placed at proper distances from this mirror other smaller
mirrors, which were of the same kind, and which were moved by
means of their hinges, and certain square plates of metal. He
afterwards placed his mirrors in the midst of the solar rays, pre-
cisely at noonday. The rays of the sun being reflected by this
mirror, he kindled a dreadful fire in the ships, which were reduced
to ashes, at a distance equal to that of a bow-shot. Txetzes^
Chiliad, II. 119.

24 MEMOIR OE BUFFOff.

etmction of the lenses. These accomplished, he com-
menced" to build his great mirror. It was composed
of 168 pieces, of plain silvered glass, six inches by eight
in size, and he requited to examine above 500 pieces
before the most perfect could be obtained. Between
each was an interval of four lines, to allow a free
motion, and to permit the observer to see the place,
to which the images were to be thrown. The
whole were mounted in an iron frame., so fitted
with screws and springs, that a motion could be
given to them in any direction, and the images
reflected from all the mirrors easily thrown upon
the same spot. In eight experiments, he obtain-
ed the following results, which clearly show the
possibility of setting fire to the Roman fleet : On
March 23d, a plank of tarred beech was set on fire at
sixty-six feet, with only forty mirrors, and without
the mirror being put upon its stand. On the same
day, a plank tarred and sulphured, and having the
mirror more disadvantageously placed, was fired, at
the distance of 126 feet, with 98 mirrors. On the 3d
of April, at four o'clock in the evening, a slight in-
flammation was made upon a plank covered with wool
cut into small pieces, distant 138 feet, with 1 12 mirrors.
The next day, at eleven o'clock forenoon, 154 mirrors,
at the distance of 150 feet, made a tarred plank smoke
to such a degree in two minutes, that it would have
been inflamed had not the sun disappeared. On the
5th April, a dull day, at three o'clock afternoon, 154

MEMOIE OF BUFFOtf. 25

mirrors, at a distance of 250 feet, inflamed in two mi-
nutes and a half, minute chips of deal, sulphured and
mixed with charcoaL When the sun was vivid, the in-
flammation took place in a few seconds. On the 1 Oth
April, after mid-day, with a clear sun, 128 mirrors, at
the distance of 150 feet, set fire to a tarred plank of fir ;
the inflammation being very sudden. Same day, at
half-past two, 148 mirrors, at 150 feet, fired a plank
of beech sulphured in some parts, and in others cover-
ed with wool cut into small pieces ; the inflammation
was so sudden and violent that it was necessary to
plunge the plank into water in order to extinguish it.
April 11, twelve mirrors, at twenty feet, inflamed
small combustible matters ; forty- five, at twenty feet,
melted a large pewter flask that weighed six pounds ;
and 117 made some thin pieces of silver and iron red-
hot. Having satisfied himself upon this point, he fol-
lowed out the subject, and constructed mirrors upon
various plans. Perhaps the most remarkable were
those formed by bending glass upon moulds of a sphe-
rical form by means of a furrow ; he was thus able
to make them of very considerable size, but they re-
quired great caution in the cooling and grinding after-
wards ; and, out of twenty-four which he made, only
three were able to be preserved. One of these, forty-
six inches in diameter, was presented to the King of
France, and was regarded as the most powerful burn-
ing mirror in Europe.

A few years before the commencement of these ex-

26 MEMOIR OF BUFFON.

periments, Buffon succeeded to M. Du Fay in the office

of Intendant to the Royal Garden and Cabinet, and,

as before hinted, this appointment ultimately fixed his

mind to the pursuits of natural history. He was

only thirty-two years of age; and when he saw

such a mass of materials at his command, a great

part of which was unnoticed by any naturalist, we

may easily conceive that a mind possessed of such

enthusiasm, would be led again to a science which it

had previously studied ; and he entered eagerly into its

details, calling to his assistance, in some departments

where he was deficient, the talents of men who were

capable and worthy of the association. The great work

now contemplated, was intended to embrace every

branch of the animal kingdom ; but he thought that it

Would be incomplete, unless the composition of the globe

which sustained such a multitude of living creatures,

should itself be first elucidated, and it was accordingly

commenced by a history or theory of the earth, which

he afterwards augmented by what he termed the

*' Epochas of Nature/' The first volume of the

Natural History of Quadrupeds did not appear till

174-9, ten years after his appointment as Intendant

of the Gardens; and the first edition of the whole work

was not completed till 1767, occupying its author

during a period of sixteen years. Year after year he

also wished to render it more complete; he endeavoured

to keep pace with the science and its discoveries, and

we find an additional supplementary volume published

MEMOIR OF ETJFFOtf. 27

in 1782, only six years before his death, and when
he began to feel very severely the tortures of a pain-
ful malady. During the progress of the work,, he
appears also to have kept up that unremitting perseve-
rance which characterises the pursuits of his earlier
years, and he is said to have employed fourteen hours
daily in writing and study, until compelled by pain to
limit his exertions.

Previous to the publication of the first volume of
his Natural History, Buffon was enabled to increase
his domestic felicity, by a marriage with a lady with
whom he had been for some time acquainted. In 1752,
he married Mademoiselle Saint Belin, who, though
without fortune, possessed qualifications which render-
ed the happiness of her husband undoubted. She
eagerly followed the train of honours which was now
brightly expanding upon him, and watched every
step which he gained with fresh anxiety; many
years seem thus to have been passed in great tran-
quillity, and present an unvaried routine of research
and addition to the works which were advancing.
During the height of this bright career, he was honour-
ed with marks of approbation by many of the sove-
reigns of Europe, and by the learned societies of his
country. In 1771, Louis XIV. conferred upon him
the distinction of erecting his estate into a Compte ;
and, inviting him to Fontainbleau, wished him to
accept the office of Administrator of the Forests in his
dominions, which Buffon however refused.

28 MEMOIE OF BUFFON.

During his whole life he enjoyed a singular portion
of good health, notwithstanding the irregularities
which all his biographers allow that he frequently
indulged in. He was afflicted late in life with the
stone, which, about his seventy-second or seventy-
third year, became extremely annoying and painful.
He would not submit to an operation, and certainly
accelerated his death by his obstinacy, as his medical
attendants, on an after examination, affirmed, that he
would have been safely relieved by an easy operation.
Under all the sufferings of this painful disease, he is
said to have assiduously continued his studies ; and
it may be remarked, as confirming this assertion, that
with all men who have studied long and perseve-
ringly, the act becomes confirmed to a habit, and
instead of being irksome, in their greater pains and
imbecilities, becomes an amusement to the mind, and
a solace to their bodily frailties. We are accustomed
too often to couple study with what is disagreeable.

Buffon continued for nearly eight years in severe
affliction : he retained his reason till within a few
hours of his death, but sunk under excruciating tor-
ture, on the l6th April 1788, in the eighty-first year
of his age. Upon dissection, fifty stones were found
in his bladder. His body was embalmed and con-
veyed to Montbard, to be placed, according to his direc-
tions, in the same vault with that of his wife. Every
earthly honour was paid to his memory: a concourse of
academicians, and of persons of rank and distinction, at-

MEMO IB OF BUTTON. 29

tended the funeral: above 2 0,000 people were assembled
to see it pass: a monument was erected to his memory ;
and though there is much to blame in the private
character of Buffon, his name as a naturalist will
long continue to be remembered.

Buffon left one son who inherited considerable abi-
lities, and appears to have been fondly attached to his
parent. He entered the army, and rose to the rank
of major in the regiment of Angoumois. He was des-
tined, however, to live in a more unsettled period, and
during the Revolution was condemned to death, and
perished on the scaffold. The abilities of the father
were no safeguard for the son ; nor was the utility
of his own works, or his kindness during life to his
retainers, a greater protection afterwards to his own
remains, against the ruthless hands of popular fury.
The hatred to the noblesse and aristocracy of France
was borne by so violent a tide, that the remains of
this illustrious naturalist were torn up and left un-
buried, the leaden coffin carried off, his monument
razed to the ground, and this, by part of the same
20,000 spectators who had formerly attended the
mournful procession to the grave !*

* A citizen who loved the sciences, and who, indignant at the
profanation of genius, went to Paris to complain of it, and proposed
to the Committee of Public Instruction to place Buffon in the
Pantheon. This attempt, however, was unavailing, and the Com-
mittee were unanimously of opinion, that the place would be
profaned bjr the presence of a man who was connected, Jike

30 MEMOIR OF BUFFON.

The personal appearance of Buffon is said to nave
been commanding, while his countenance was intelli-
gent. The engravings which we have seen, represent
his forehead high and ample, but we should scarcely
say that his countenance was very prepossessing. His
gait was erect, but perhaps leaned a little more to the
strut of foppery, than to a mein of dignity. In his dis-
position he seems to have been zealous and perseve-
ring, and to have followed out all his undertakings
with great ardour. The study of a subject, so as to
acquire its mastery, must however have cost him
considerable labour ; and he was always inclined to be
led away by beauties or defects, which a lively power
of imagination presented. This we can every where
trace in his writings ; by the best judges they have
been pronounced elegant, but more attention is always
given to the style and detail as it were, of the story,
than to that rigid adherence to truth which is so
essentially required by the naturalist. This may be
preserved without dry and weary detail, and at the
same time without wandering theoretically from the
subject. Nature presents innumerable instances, where
there is no need of any embellishment, beyond the garb
in which she has already dressed them, and where the
gaudy trickery of language is unnecessary, to give addi-
tional lustre to her beautiful but chaste productions.

Notwithstanding the high reputation of his works.

Buffon, with the aristocracy of the country. Brewst. Encyclop*
Art. Buffon.

MEMOIR OF BUFFOtf. 31

and the very large proportion of time which was de-
voted to study, Buffon appeared to little advantage
in company. His conversation did not reach beyond
mediocrity, and the time at table was spent in light
talk, exceeding even the licensed freedoms of the
French. The power of communicating information
was either wanting, or reserved for his particular
friends in private, and he considered that a discussion
upon the Sciences should be confined to books alone.
These opinions may have influenced his wish for com-
parative privacy, and it is certain that he did not mingle
with his contemporaries in literary and scientific fame.
Vanity has been generally allowed to be the great-
est failing in the mind of Buffon, and the pains
which he took to work up his writings, and his severe
study, have perhaps been too often invidiously re-
ferred " to the consideration of what after generations
would think regarding him." He delighted in read-
ing aloud his own works to his visitors, and chiefly
those which he considered his finest pieces. Parts
of the Natural History of Man, the description of
the Deserts of Arabia in the History of the Camel,
that of the Swan, &c.,* were his favourites. It is but
justice to say, however, that a more laudable induce-
ment to recite them, than the mere love of hearing them
praised, has been assigned by some of his biographers.

* Buffon read the last article to Prince Henry of Prussia, when
he visited him at Montbard ; and, as a mark of his delight, the
Prince sent Buffon a service of porcelain, on which swans were
represented in every attitude. Brewst. Encyclop.Art. Buffon.

G

32 MEMOIE OP BUFFOK.

" They were read with the view of hearing opinions
and receiving corrections ;" he willingly received any
hint of improprieties of style, and was open to imper-
fections when pointed out to him. It is not so cer-
tain that an opinion of pieces recited in this way
was always given with that candour which would
allow correction.

He delighted also in what was luxurious or magni-
ficent, and was devoted to his dress almost to the ex-
treme of foppery. He spent much time at his toilet,
and even in his latest years had his hair dressed
and powdered twice, or three times daily. Every
Sunday he exhibited himself after service to the
peasantry of Montbard, dressed in a rich lace garment,
and attended by his son and principal retainers.

In the private character of Buffon, we regret there is
not much to praise ; his disposition was kind and bene-
t lent, and he was generally beloved by his inferiors,
followers, and dependents, which were numerous over
his extensive property ; he was strictly honourable,
and was an affectionate parent. In early youth he
had entered into the pleasures and dissipations of life,
and licentious habits seem to have been retained to the
last. But the great blemish in such a mind was hi?
declared infidelity ; it presents one of those exceptions
>8iong the persons who have been devoted to the study
of Nature ; and it is not easy to imagine a mind ap-
parently with such powers, scarcely acknowledging a
Creator, and when noticed, only by an arraignment for

MEMOIR OP BUrFOff. 33

wiiat appeared wanting or defective in his great works
So openly, indeed, was the freedom of his religious opi-
nions expressed, that the indignation of the Sorbonne
was provoked. He had to enter into an explanation
which he in some way rendered satisfactory; and while
he afterwards attended to the outward ordinances of
religion, he considered them as a system of faith for
the multitude, and regarded those most impolitic who
openly opposed them.

Painful as a detail of such opinions must be,
it is the duty of every biographer to mention them ;
and our readers may compare the splendid talents
and humble piety of the subject of our first memoir,
with the highly cultivated mind, the bright abilities
of the present, but where they were coupled with the
disavowment of the Being from whom all these pre-.
cious gifts were derived.

The works by which Buffon is now best known,
are those upon Natural History. The first of these,
" Natural History, General and Particular/' was com-
pleted in 1767, and amounted to fifteen volumes
quarto, thirty-one octavo ; in the anatomical depart-
ment he was assisted by M. D'Aubenton, and a sup-
plementary volume afterwards appeared. This con-
tained only the Natural History of Quadrupeds. On
account of his illness, the first volumes of the History
of Birds did not appear till 1771 ; in which he was
assisted by M. Gueneau de Montbeillard, and in the
three last he received help from the Abbe Beron.

34 MEMOIR OF BUTTON.

They form nine volumes. He afterwards published
a volume containing the * c Natural History of Minerals/'
and several supplementary additions'; and he intended
to have added the History of Vegetables. The whole
of these have been published in thirty -eight volumes
4to., or sixty-two 12mo. ; of which several translated
editions have appeared in this country. His other
works/ some of which we mentioned before, were the
translation of " Hales's Vegetable Statics/' " New.
ton's Fluxions/' a " Treatise on Accidental Colours/'
with various papers in the " Memoirs of the Royal
Academy of Sciences at Paris, from the year 1737 to
1742."

ELOGE OJN BUFFON.

ELOGE ON BUFFON.

BY

P. L. COUEIEB,

(ADDRESSED TO HIS FELLOW CITIZENS).

I AM apprehensive lest the name of a soldier, at the
head of such a subject as this, should surprise you, and
appear out of its proper place ; for, it may not meet
your approbation, that at the very time when a new
war demands all the energies of the army, of which I
form a part, I should apply myself to studies which
usually presuppose leisure, and which always require
considerable reflection. You may blame me, called as
T am to other duties, and ill fitted either to give or to
xmceive hopes of success, for engaging in attempts
which you encourage in those young literary aspirants
whom the public distinguishes among your disciples,
and whom they expect to preserve the arts which you
have transmitted to them. Perhaps you may even think
that a man appointed, by the state, to serve his country,

38 ELOQE ON BTJFFOX.

not by the pen "but by the sword, not in its councils but
in the field of battle, not by persuasion but by force,
has no other employments to attend to than such as
secure for our armies a superiority over other nations ;
that, in a word, all the knowledge a warrior needs, is
how to obey, to fight, and to die.

You might, therefore, dissuade me from an art in
which, I flatter myself, my earliest attempts would ob-
tain from you a favourable consideration. Far from
being indifferent to my embarrassment, it a department
where you both give instructions as masters, and award
prizes as judges, you will scarcely pardon me for having
presumed to enter upon it ; and what I believed to be
an additional claim to your indulgence, may draw upon
nae your censure. However severe that may be, I sub-
mit to it without murmuring ; but do not condemn me
without a hearing, that I may at least endeavour to
mitigate a judgment the severity of which I dread.

From the period of life when I began to exercise my
faculties, I had a desire for instruction, and a passion
for study. I may appeal to all the superiors under
whom I have served ; to all the soldiers whom I have
commanded ; to all those whom I have either followed
or accompanied, or guided in the toils of war, to testify
to the fact, that these peaceable occupations never for
an instant interfered with my obedience, or diverted
my attention from the most trifling orders I had occa-
sion either to receive or to give.
, But without insisting more on my own conduct, you

ELOGE OIT BUFFOS. 89

purely flo not suppose that the arts, literature in a
word, philosophy, run contrary to the obligations which
society imposes, or render one of those who cultivate
them less fit or' ready to serve his country, since the
knowledge which they teach, above all others, is atten-
tion to duties. But you may imagine, that tastes of this
kind are fitted only for those whose public and private
duties leave them sufficient time to devote to the culti-
vation of them. What profession affords more leisure
than that of arms ? All others occupy, without inter-
mission, those employed in them. The public are en-
gaged in disputes with the lawyer every hour of his
life. The speculations of commerce leave to the mer-
chant neither pleasures free from anxiety, nor peace-
able sleep ; and the labourer never interrupts the circle
of his toils. The soldier is not always engaged in
fighting. His action, being most violent, is most fre-
quently suspended. His times of rest, moreover, leave
him exempt from the thousand cares which other men
never lay aside, and the most laborious of all occupa-
tions then becomes the most idle. Is it supposed, that
in these intervals of valuable liberty, when the soldier
can follow such occupations as suit his fancy, study
would prove more dangerous and hurtful to his duties
than the pleasures in which he is every where permitted
to indulge ? How many could I name, who, unknown
to all those whose habits differ so widely from theirs,
owe to such an employment of their time and leisure, a
aorreotruww in the service, a steadiness in their labours,

40 ELOGE ON BUFFOS.

a stability of heart which nature does not give ; confi-
dence in their chiefs, the love of their companions, and
regard for each other! Their studies are pursued in
silence, and the source of their judicious" conduct escapes
less attentive eyes ; for they love science, not for parade
but for usefulness. Satisfied with being learned rather
than appearing so, some learn from history how to
judge of men and events ; others, in calculation and the
. abstractions of the higher departments of geometry, rise
to the most sublime efforts of the human mind. Others
still (for many different routes lead to wisdom) take the
works of nature for their study, and conceive a taste, or
rather a passion for this pursuit, which never becomes
extinct in the heart where it has once been kindled
by the eloquence of Buffon. The mention of this
name reminds me of all the difficulties of my under-
taking. I apprehend, however, that if you consent
to throw a glance at these sketches of a hand which
cannot be much exercised, you will not think me inex-
cusable, for having selected, from among the subjects
you proposed to the meeting, that least suited to my
powers. And why ? Because I intend to praise only
what appears to me most deserving of praise. I shall
be silent as to the rest. To speak of my inability would
be to suppose, either that you cannot perceive it, or
that you do not hold me accountable for it.

When the works of Newton appeared, they were re-
ceived in Europe with a kind of distrust ; for, whether
it was that he disdained to make himself intelligible to

ELOGE ON BTJFrOK. 41

minds less elevated than his own, or that, forgetting
too much his own superiority, he fancied he was suffi-
ciently explicit when he understood himself; no one at
first comprehended him, and some of his countrymen
scarcely guessed at his meaning. But his discoveries
were discussed by the learned, and each day they were
made clearer, even "by the objections of those who com-
bated them ; accordingly, they soon produced a great
revolution in the sciences, which England and Germany
recognised, while France still hesitated to submit to it,
and blushed to receive instruction from a rival. The
correct sciences do not readily tolerate these discussions.
The severity of their methods, and the clearness of the
principles on which they are founded, seem to render it
necessary that every proposition should be admitted
without difficulty, or rejected without hesitation ; but
the kind of obscurity which Newton had either thrown
over his writings, or at least left upon them, indicating
his proofs rapidly, or disdaining to give them at all,
dissatisfied those who held to the old laws, and, by
authorizing doubts, served at least as a pretext for the
contradictions which these new ideas at first encoun-
tered. Few people were anxious to understand an
author who appeared to have no wish to be understood.
This resistance, however, could not be long continued.
People soon passed from one extreme to the other.
The greater part of those theories which Newton had
given without demonstration, having had the requisite
evidence supplied by other hands, what was not proved

42 ELOGE ON BUFFOtf.

became probable, ana from that time admiration neld,
all in subjection ; his name alone was a sufficient de-
monstration ; every thing seemed proved by the words,
He has said it f

It was, if I am not deceived, in these circumstances,
when this kind of deviation, which Newton at first in-
spired us with was converted into enthusiasm, that
Buffon translated the Treatise on Fluxions. And here
I cannot avoid making a reflection, which has often
occurred to me when reading his other works ; and
which, according to the idea I have retained of them,
does not at the present time appear to me far from the
truth. In these somewhat severe studies, by which,
unquestionably, the first fire of ardent genius should
have been tamed, may it not have happened that the
form in which these new calculations were then pre-
sented, offering to his mind ideas of infinity in every
order, may have easily seduced his imagination, for
which, afterwards, a world scarcely afforded sufficient
materials for description ; and which, even although
sobered by age, and corrected by observation, too often
still overleaped the bounds of truth and even of possi-
bility ? If other more solid reasons contributed, as we
must suppose, to fix his attention on this branch of
mathematics, we may imagine that these deceptive, but,
at the same time, new and grand images, flattered his
mind and decided his choice; the more especially as
another individual, in the same age, was attracting
admiration by the brilliancy and graces of his mind,

ELOGE ON BUFFO:

seduced and abused by these illusions, having devoted
to this matter a lost work, running astray in the infini-
tesimal metaphysics, without being able to confine him-
self to the exactitude of these sciences, or to impart to
them the charms of his imagination. But Fontenelle
wished to make a book, BuiFon merely to make known
that of Newton. The kind of reputation for which he
seemed destined, not being to enrich the sciences by
discoveries, but to render them attractive by his elo- .
quence ; I regret that I am unable to speak here, in
any detail, respecting the works of his youth, and to
show by what labours he amassed the profuse wealth
he afterwards showed in his writings. Not that I think
his eloge incomplete without these details, which per-
haps would have been sufficient of themselves to render
any other name famous, but which will scarcely be
missed in the life of BuiFon. But however useless as
regards his reputation, they are by no means so in
reference to general instruction ; and if it be only by
following the example of celebrated men we can hope
to come up to them, or even surpass them (a necessary
ambition to enable us to attain to what is great) ; it is
not to be doubted, that the only torch which can en-
lighten and sustain so noble an emulation, is the atten-
tive observation of the progress by which they reached
an elevation which separates them from other men.
Fortunate are those who can thus follow, and meditate
on all the steps of Buffon's progress, and who, finding
in his attempts important lessons for themselves, show

ELOGE OK BUFFON.

us how his pen learned the art of painting nature in a
style equal to the subject. As for myself, I cannot
enter upon these useful researches, because I am sepa-
rated from all the monuments of literature, as well as
from the small number of individuals, who having lived
with these heroes of a past age, yet retain some recol-
lection of them. In what I have to say of Buffon, 1
can only consult my memory, full, as it is, of his great
works, but silent as to his life. The extent of his repu-
tation is scarcely known to me ; and such, in a word, is
the disadvantage of my position, that having to cele-
brate a man whose name is already too great for a voice
like mine, I am reduced to the necessity of being unable
to praise in him any thing but what is expressly above
all praise. I must, however, speak to you of his im-
mortal work. The further I advance with my subject,
the more does my courage fail me ; and notwithstand-
ing the law I imposed on myself when commencing a
task, the importance of which alarmed me, I cannot
avoid to remind you again of my incompetency, and to
solicit your indulgence.

If I were referring to this magnificent work under
the different aspects in which it may be regarded, and
holding up to admiration a genius which showed its
superiority in every department where it was called
upon to excel, in order to succeed in my attempt, this
discourse would not only exceed the limits you have
prescribed to me, but would form a work of consider-
able extent ; for there is no kind of knowledge which

ELOGE ON BUTTON. 45

the human mind is capable of cultivating ; no science,
art, or even trade or profession, having to do with the
wants or conveniences of life, which has not either an
intimate connection with, or an obvious relation to the
vast science named Natural History ; and the study of
\vhich. consequently, more or less attentively, is not in-
dispensable to any one who pretends to give a complete
system. Now, in each of these departments, a detailed
examination of one of Buffon' s books, would enable us
every where to perceive, in its author, the man of genius
or the man of taste ; or rather, by this kind of analysis,
we would discover many great men in Buffon alone.
But even though I were permitted, in a mere essay like
this, to make use of such divisions, or others less multi-
plied, I should venture to avoid them ; for such exten-
sive and varied kinds of knowledge, the union of which
in one individual was almost inconceivable, but yet
necessary to explain and describe the whole of nature,
are every where found in this work so closely connected,
that they can scarcely be separated even in thought ;
to distinguish them in this manner would prevent us
feeling all the admiration which Buffon ought to in-
spire, as it is their assemblage that is the most admir-
able mark of the sublimity of his genius ; but in other
respects his own example teaches us how to regard
him. It is from himself that we must learn to measure
objects so great as his genius. Let us avoid, then,
while praising him, the methods which he himself de-
spised. Let us attempt to look on him as he looked on

46 ELOGE ON BUFFOff.

nature, not in the hope of painting it with his own
colours ; but as impossible to seize in any other man-
ner ; and without wishing to decompose all the rays of
his glory ; without separating the writer from the na-
turalist, the orator, and, if you please, the poet from
the philosophical observer. Let us endeavour to take
a glance at his work, which will give an idea, not of
each part, but of the whole. Let us examine, in ge-
neral, what must have been the object of the author,
and how he fulfilled that object ; what he wished to do
and what he really did.

If his design had been only to give us a book where
all the known productions of nature should be deli-
neated, the greatness of this undertaking, of itself,
would astonish us, and make us admire the boldness of
a mind capable of such an idea ; for in each class of
the objects which natural history considers, a small
number of species has sometimes been sufficient to
occupy the whole life of laborious observers. Many
observers have acquired a just celebrity, by confining
their investigations to a single branch of the sciences
which are all here treated of; and rarely is an indivi-
dual found, whose mind could embrace all the parts of
etudy to which he devoted himself. It is a boldness,
therefore, well worthy of admiration, to regard at once
all the beings composing the universe, and to con-
ceive the plan, by observing their infinite varieties,
of becoming acquainted with and describing them all.
Buffon desired to do even more than this. The bodily

ELOGE ON BUFFOS'. 47

powers of man are estimated by what lie performs ;
those of the mind by what he undertakes. In order to
form an idea of the immensity of the work in which
Buffon engaged, it is sufficient to consider, that the first
objects to which men would direct attention (as soon as
the establishment of societies and laws, securing the
means of easy subsistence, permitted them to entertain
other ideas than such as related to the wants of life),
must necessarily have been the works of nature, with
whose magnificence they were surrounded, and which
presented themselves to their view on every side. Those
who were disposed to contemplation, having readily
remarked the principal phenomena of universal har-
mony, and the most obvious properties of organised
matter ; this first glance, though without reflection, on
the picture of nature, immediatedly inspired, by the
surprise it excited, curiosity to penetrate deeper, and
become acquainted with details ; and hence men began
to observe, to travel, and to write ; but travellers and
writers could not all be enlightened men. If it some-
times happened, that an individual of sense and judg-
ment travelled, for the sake of acquiring knowledge,
how many others, ill instructed, credulous, superstitious,
untruthful, whom accident, necessity, or cupidity, car-
ried far from their native country, brought back from
unknown regions a thousand fables for one fact, and
whose faithless and inaccurate narrations were compiled
without the least discernment ! Accordingly, in propor-
tion as useful remarks became multiplied, confounded.

48 ELOGE ON BTJFFOtf.

and buried in the mass of compilations and narratives
which multiplied still more ; the difficulty of collecting
them continually increased along with the distaste which
always accompanies work of this kind ; for, as may
have been noticed in these writings, whatever may be
the style, the curiosity natural to man for all that treats
of remote objects, often holds the place of that interest
which art alone can impart to other works ; and it was
easy, therefore, for people to persuade themselves, that
in order to be an observer, naturalist, author, and at
the same time secure readers, nothing was henceforth
necessary but to run and to write. No one went away,
for however short a distance, from his birth-place,
without thinking that he was called upon to publish at
least letters to a friend ; and, even such as undertook
more important tasks, abused the indulgence of the
public, anxious as they were for instruction, by de-
scribing, in detail, the most trifling events of their pro-
gress, life, conversations, and sometimes even their love
intrigues. All this increased the labour of the savant ;
who, reading not so much for himself as for others, and
fearing to overlook some circumstance worthy of being
noted, saw himself condemned to follow throughout a
narrative encumbered with so much useless matter.

The existing knowledge respecting Natural History,
when Buffon took up his pen, was scattered in the man-
ner described, throughout a multitude of books, or
rather, it may be said, in every book, since there is
scarcely any one which does not owe some tribute to

ELOGE ON BTTFFOK. 4S

this science, and that of nature became intelligible by
means of commentaries. So many ill-digested writings,
which men of science themselves perused with difficulty,
had not only to be read, but studied, by Buffon ; and
he required to make himself acquainted with all that
men had thought up to his time, in order to mark, on
the same plan, the whole series of truths and errors.
But he was by no means one of those authors, whose
merit, confined to giving a faithful account of the ideas
or discoveries of their predecessors, obtains rather the
gratitude than the admiration of the public.

Could a genius such as his undertake the troublesome
task of collecting all that others knew, if it had not
been for the purpose of adding to it all of which they ^
were ignorant ? It is in this respect, that we may say
his ambition was without, bounds. He wished to be-
come acquainted with all that the earth encloses in its
bowels, to search the depths of the sea, to penetrate to
places where light never comes ; he wished to describe
all that the surface of the earth lays open to the sun ;
and, ascending in imagination to the celestial spaces,
to obtain a glimpse of the designs of the Supreme In-
telligence. But what do I say ? He was not content-
ed to unveil to men the secrets of the earth, the beauties
of nature, and the order of the universe; he even
aspired to the power of teaching us how these wonders
were produced ; how they will one day perish ; when
they were created, and what will still be their dura-
tion ; in a word every thing which the nmensity of

50 ELOGE ON BUFFOff.

time and space removes even from our conjectures.
His work, finished on the plan in which it was con-
ceived, would have been the history of the world and
the plan of creation ; and it would not have "been his
fault, if human curiosity, so vague in its desires, had
not been satisfied.

But if this undertaking was, as cannot be doubted,
the greatest which even Buffon could conceive ; on the
other hand, the means he had to execute it were such
that no past time could have been more favourable to
success ; and never could one who everted himself to
extend the empire of human knowledge enjoy an op-
portunity of using such vast and multiplied resources.
The world was then at peace, and this allowed obser-
vers, however distantly separated, to carry on their
labours conjointly ; or the wars that did arise, of little
importance in themselves, and interesting only to kings,
did not prevent nations from favouring, by common
consent, useful and learned investigations, interesting
to the whole human race. The commerce of knowledge
was always free ; and protected sometimes by the ene-
mies of all commerce and of all relation between states.
Did not an instance occur, of cases addressed to Buffon,
remaining untouched in a vessel plundered by pirates,
and, in the disorder of general pillage, the seal of phi-
losophy being held sacred even by those who profess to
have a respect for nothing ? Universal oppression left
no other mode of employing their understandings free
to men, save the study of the arts and sciences; no

ELOGE ON BUFFOK. 51

other object of curiosity than their productions and
their discoveries ; no other hope of distinction, than that
which cannot be arrested from talents acquired by long -
continued labours. But what do I say ? Even tyranny
itself, as blind as it is inconstant, thought to conceal
from the people its weakness and injustice, by turning
their attention to another object, even to that philo-
sophy which ought to have overthrown it ; and the
sciences derived this advantage from the common servi-
tude, that no division among the nations, united under
the same chain, brought any opposition to their pro-
gress.

To these advantages, which Buffon owed to the times
in which he wrote, were joined others even more im-
portant, which were peculiar to himself; for that happy
facility which men of science enjoyed for bringing their
observations and discoveries to a common centre, might
have been rendered unavailing for the perfection of his
work, if the pretensions, jealousy, and hatred, of too
frequent occurrence among them, had been opposed to
the union of their knowledge and talents. But Buffon
knew well how to subdue these passions, so fatal to
every kind of success in great undertakings. The ascen-
dency of his genius subjected all other minds to his,
and brought, so to speak, under his direction, all those
who had cultivated any one department of knowledge
relating to his subject. His name, alone, was enough
to check the factious in literature ; and those who, as
philosophers, sometimes refused to acknowledge him as

52 ELOGE ON BUFFOJT.

their master, seduced and attracted by his eloquence,
soon brought, of their own accord, all that they were
able to furnish him. The materials thus coming into
him on all sides, he seemed to employ nothing more
than his voice in the construction of his edifice.

In fact, throughout the whole of Europe, it may even
be said throughout the whole world, all philosophers
and men of observation, travellers going to a distance
to interrogate nature, and observers more limited in
their scope ; and also, on their side, all people in office,
ministers, and kings themselves ; all those, in short,
who were in a condition, either by knowledge or power,
to second such a work, devoted themselves to Buffon.
Some of them lent the assistance of their talents, others
of their authority. Hence, without ever leaving his
cabinet, he had the means of collecting a greater num-
ber of observations, and acquiring a greater amount of
knowledge, than the longest journeys would have fur-
nished him with. All parts of the globe, accessible to
the industry or curiosity of Europeans, became, as it
were, present to his eyes. All he wished to know was
described or painted by the most skilful hands ; every
thing he wished to see was transported across moun-
tains and seas. Any fact which might appear new, an
interesting remark or discovery, in whatsoever part of
the earth accident or research had given rise to it, was
instantly treasured up and communicated to Buffon by
a multitude of individuals, jealous to deserve what
would distinguish them, and whose names a stroke of

$LOGE ON BTJPFOlf. 53

his pen would preserve from oblivion ; for it was never
doubted that every thing he wrote would be immortal !
And is it to be wondered at, that when such finished
pictures were seen growing under his hand, it should
have been conceived, that they were destined to endure
and be admired, as long as men were alive to the
charms of eloquence and the beauties of nature ? The
most valuable productions of another kind have their
course and allotted destiny. Whatever may be the
degree of perfection which poetry can attain, its pro-
ductions require to be renewed ; that which, in one age,
moved rocks, in another is scarcely listened to by men.
History becomes old still more rapidly ; every day new
facts efface those of the preceding day. In a word, we
may expect to see every composition, whose merit or
conception belongs to the things which time alters or
destroys, become gradually more obscure, and at last
fall into oblivion. But, before the writings of Buffon
can undergo such a fate, or the value of his pictures be
misunderstood, it is necessary that Nature herself should
change ; that the lion should lose his fierceness of cha-
racter, the dog his intelligence and fidelity, the eagle
the empire of the air, the Arab his independence, or
that Man should forget Nature ; for, so long as his
eyes are directed to it, the grandeur and variety of the
spectacle it presents, will never fail to recall the only
genius whose view could take in the whole extent of it,
and who had the art to describe the details of it.'
I am not unaware, at the same time, of what has

ELOGE ON BUFFOtf.

been said on this subject, and what enlightened men
still allege, that there can be nothing truly estimable
in a work on the sciences but what is useful to the
learned ; that this utility consists in discovering new
truth ; or at least in presenting, in a new order, and
such as is fitted to facilitate their study, truths already
known ; that the didactic style, that is to say, the style
peculiar to the sciences, is from its nature the simplest
Tlhd humblest of all, never having any other object but
to offer a clear sense to the mind, nor any greater
merit than not to be remarked ; that, in such cases, all
emphasis in expression only annoys a reader who is in
search of truth, and by giving false and confused ideas
to such individuals as are less correctly instructed, in-
jures the progress of the sciences ; that far from being
able to derive from oratorical ornament and parade of
language, any real utility, the greater part of them owe
their existence to the invention of certain signs, which
supply entire phrases, and are brought to perfection
only in proportion as they have learned to dispense
with words ; that eloquence, the enemy of accuracy, in-
tended to move or to seduce, accustomed to hurry the
passions impetuously forward, and even in its calmest
moments, less occupied with truth than with verisimili-
tudes, is a stranger to every work whose object is not
to persuade but to convince ; that philosophy instructs
but does not harangue !

But what are we to infer from all this ? Is it meant
to lay an interdict on all that can make instruction

ELOGE 02* BUFFON. 55

agreeable, and render it, by the allurements of a polish-
ed language, not more useful, but more attractive ?
Since, in addressing men, it is necessary to employ the
words and expressions in use among men, why not
choose what is best fitted to secure their attention and
favourable regard ? Truth, you say, needs no ornament ;
every thing which adorns conceals it. Paint her then
naked but beautiful; let her strike our attention and
please our taste at the same time. Is it enough to
make her known, if we do not make her loved ? Those
sciences, even, which profess the severest exactitude,
presenting only irresistible evidence, and which would
blush to sacrifice to the graces, are not without their
degree of elegance. In subjecting the mind to the force
of its proofs, it does not disdain to flatter it by a certain
address. If, indeed, there are studies which no charm
embellishes, and departments of knowledge which no
thing can reconcile with taste, those who cultivate them
are much to be pitied. But we find more to delight us
when occupied with nature. Like herself, mother of
all the arts, there is no art foreign to the sciences, of
which she is the object. Eloquence owes to her its life
and attractions ; and such is the unchangeable relation
subsisting between them, that we can say nothing
eloquent which is not found in Nature, nor make a true
image of Nature which is not eloquent. The beauties
of the one are those of the other ; all their treasures
are common. Accordingly, to attempt to separate them,
is to contradict the essence of things ; and to pretend to

56 ELOGE ON BUFFON.

exclude eloquence from the descriptions of ^*ature, is to
deprive the painter of the use of colours.

But every one judges by what he feels ; and the same
objects do not make the same impressions on all. Ac-
cordingly, among men who study to acquire a knowledge
of Nature, all have not the same manner of regarding it
nor of delineating it. Those who contemplate it with-
u^l enthusiasm describe it methodically, measuring
every thing scrupulously, halting at every point, and
exerting all their attention to seize even the smallest
traits. Whatever beauty is presented to them, their
heart remains untouched! The greatest magnificence
in the adornments of the universe affords them nothing
but names to be classified, tables to be drawn up, cold
enumerations to deduce and compare. Their view,
unceasingly occupied in these toilsome labours, never
reposes on smiling images, and they find, every where
in Nature, the same details to draw out, the same task
to fulfil. But as soon as a mind of some elevation ap-
plies itself to contemplate it, the multitude of sublime
ideas to which it gives rise, transport it out of itself ;
and without thinking of being a poet, it becomes so by
expressing what it sees and feels ! Which of the two
represent Nature best ? The one employs the eye and
the pencil, the other the rule and the compass. The
one gives a grand and picturesque view, the other a
dry and minute plan. Is, then, the most faithful pic-
ture that which offers to the eye the dimensions of
objects, measured exactly, but without perspective and

ELOGE ON BUFFOtf. 57

without colour ; or that which produces in the spectator
the same ideas, the same sensations, the same emotions
as its model ? And who does not experience, in reading
Buffon, that the heart, seduced by the illusions of an
enchanting style, imagines that it sees Nature herself
in his descriptions, and feels, in effect, all the impres-
sions which its actual presence would produce ? Those
who study them with taste, never open, without a cer-
tain degree of veneration, the book where Nature is
represented in all its magnificence ; and the more the
mind is accustomed to meditate on these master-pieces,
the more is it gratified to find it again represented, so
majestic and sublime, in the pictures of Buffon. But
however strange one may be to knowledge of this de-
scription, it is sufficient to have some share of that
intelligence and sensibility of which few are destitute,
joined to the most common notions of all that the least
attentive eye remarks in Nature ; it is enough to see
and to feel, to recognise in Buffon all that Nature offers
of what is grandest and most majestic. Where is the
man, so indifferent to every kind of beauty, as not
sometimes to have experienced, while traversing forests,
pausing on the slope of a mountain, or viewing the ex-
panse of the sea from an elevated beach, this inexpres-
sible feeling of admiration, and the idea which then
springs up in the mind of the variety of beings and the
immensity of the universe ? Is there any one whom the
view of the beautiful nights of summer does not delight,
and throw into a state of tranquil meditation, or who

58 ELOOE ON BUFFOS.

can prevent himself sinking into a silent revery, when
the darkening sky and the hollow sound of the waves
announce the approach of a tempest ? And can it be
otherwise, than that so many wonders, the view of
which throws a contemplative heart into admiration ;
and which, when spread over nature, make such deep
impressions on the coarsest senses, should strike and
dazzle, when assembled in a work where the enthusiasm
inseparable from the subject is joined to the charm of
illusion ?

Buffon brings before his readers the objects which
are known to them, as if they were present to their
view, and familiarises them even with those whose
entire nation is strange to them. Every thing he speaks
of is present. We transport ourselves along with him
to every place he describes. If he represents to us the
life and manners of the wild animals of our continent,
we follow him into the forests, we admire rude nature,
the silence which reigns in these solitudes, and so many
dumb objects which speak to the heart. We lament
the victim of a cruel sport, deceived by the ground,
which, in his rapid career, he scarcely touches ; and we
become interested in the faithful, but not very peace-
able love of a couple of Roes, which birth unites, and
death alone separates. If he paints another aspect of
nature in other climates, under the burning zones of
Africa and Asia, we fancy ourselves to be transported
to ftss heart of the deserts of Arabia, and distinguish,
among the hissings of reptiles, the voice of the Ono-
crotalus and the cries of the Jabiru ; or we tremble at

ELOGE OX BUFFOtf. 59

seeing, on the banks of the Senegal, the timid Gazelle
descend to the brink of the stream where the Tiger lies
in ambush. The view of the universe, when we observe
it with less indifference than the majority of men, pre-
sents no agreeable image which Buffon does not bring
before the mind ; no sombre perspective which does not
reappear in his work, where we every where perceive,
as in Nature herself, order, harmony, fertility ; the re-
medy by the side of the evil ; the earth prodigal of
every blessing ; but, at the same time, war prevailing,
strength triumphant, and innocence sacrificed.

It is by the harmony of his eloquence, and the sweet-
ness he infuses into his expressions, that Buffon de-
lights the senses, and fixes the regard of his auditors,
even when he is speaking of animals and natural pro-
ductions, the least noble in our eyes. But when a vaster
field offers itself to the flight of his genius ; if he in-
terrupts the enumeration of the species which inhabit
the earth, in order to do homage to the principles of
being and of life ; or, if he begins to describe the struc-
ture of the universe, and the equilibrium of worlds
weighing the one against the other ; a superior power
then raises us above the sphere of human view 1 It is
no longer a mortal we listen to, but Nature herself which
opens her sanctuary, and at whose voice we are obliged
to bow. Eternal Wisdom ! sole object worthy of the
exertions and curiosity of man, how powerful is your
attraction over the mind that seeks to know thee ; and
how happy the individual, who can devote his life to
the contemplation of thee !

THE

NATURAL HISTORY

MONKEYS.

MAMMALIA.

NATURAL ITIS^^&Y t3'F MONKEYS.

AMONG the varied races of living beings which
inhabit this world, none perhaps have excited so
much speculation and general interest, as those to
which we have devoted our present little volume.
From the shy and retired manners of the animals
in a wild state, their habits are of difficult inves-
tigation, and would require much patience, and a
greater allowance of time, than it is often possible
for those individuals who possess the enviable op-
. portunities to devote to them. The greater portion
of the information we possess, is therefore derived
from the accounts of travellers, too often collected
from hearsay evidence, exaggerated as the fears and
superstitions of the natives have been influenced,
and which have appeared as " dreamy forms"

" That the soul sees and, we suppose, the eyes."

68 tfATUEAL HISTORY OP

We are mostly aware how easily the minds of many
native tribes are wrought upon ; and it can scarcely be
a matter of surprise, that traditions* should exist, with
accounts of the prowess, sagacity, or cruelty of these
creatures. Occasional glimpses of an animal clothed
in shaggy hair, of gigantic size, with tusks rivalling
those of the largest and most ferocious beasts of prey ;
possessing a hideous resemblance of countenance and
general proportions to man, and assuming positions
somewhat human, would present to an untutored
mind, a chaos of sensations, whose impressions scarcely
could be afterwards detailed; while one of higher
cultivation might combine doubts of their animal or
human nature, and add to either the brutal or malig-
nant qualities of both. And it is under such influ-
ences, fear predominating, that the accounts of their
concerted attacks, their carrying off negroes for slaves,
distribution of the different sexes, and of their cruelty
and carnivorous propensities, have been handed down
with embellishments by the older historians.

In other countries, superstition exercises her influ-
ence. India, so horribly celebrated by the sacrifices
of its infatuated devotees, is in some districts no less
so for its weak and extravagant idolatry. In Ahme-
nadab, hospitals have been erected for the benefit
of apes, where thousands are kept in fancied ease
and indulgence ; and another city, which was taken

* Such as those of the Fesse and Gooiocrf*

MONKEYS, 69

by General Goddart in 1780, upon its surrender con-
tained forty thousand inhabitants, and as many mon-
keys. They are even worshipped by the Brahmins,
and are raised to the rank of gods. Gorgeous temples
are erected,

" With pious care a monkey to enshrine !"

Mofleus, in his History of India, describes one of great
magnificence it was fronted by a portico for receiving
victims sacrificed to it, which was supported by no
less than 700 columns ; and Linschotten relates, that
when the Portuguese plundered one of these monkey
palaces, in the island of Ceylon, they found, in a little
gold casket, the tooth of an ape ; a relic held by th
natives in such veneration, that they offered seven
nundred thousand ducats to redeem it. It was, how-
ever, burnt by the Viceroy, to stop the progress of
idolatry. Among the ancient Egyptians, they also
seem to have been held in more than ordinary reve-
rence, or at least to have borne a rank equal to that
of the sacred ibis. They were like them represented
in the sculptures, and their bodies were preserved as
mummies.

We cannot, however, class under such infatuation,
the idea which, even in comparatively modern times,
prevailed among men who possessed great learning,
and minds at once comprehensive and penetrating ;
" that men and monkeys belonged to the same species,
and were no otherwise distinguished from each other,,

70 NATURAL HISTORY OF

than by circumstances which can be accounted for,
by the different physical or moral agencies to which
they have been exposed." * And we can only con-
sider them in the words of an eminent anatomist, as
" equally unacquainted with the structure and func-
tions of men and monkeys, not conversant with
zoology and physiology, and therefore entirely desti-
tute of the principles on which alone a sound judg-
ment can be formed, concerning the natural capabilities
and destiny of animals, as well as the laws according
to which certain changes of character, certain de-
partures from the original stock, may take place." t

Seeing, then, that the information handed down to
us regarding this singular family, has been in many
instances exaggerated and misrepresented, we shall
endeavour, in the following pages, to detail what can
be depended upon, making use of the discoveries and
researches of the modern naturalists who have travel-
led aware of the doubtful points, and were competent,
by their previous studies, for the task of unravelling
them ; while the anatomy of these animals, which
approach nearest in their structure to that of man,
will be taken from the able examinations which have
been made by Geoffroy Saint Hilaire, Fred. Cuvier, Dr
Trail, and Messrs Owen and Yarrel.

Modern zoologists have applied to this family, con-
sisting of two great divisions, the title of Quadm-
manous, or four-handed, from their generally possess-

* Monboddo, Rousseau, Lamark. H* Lawrence.

MONKEYS. 71

ing thumbs, or members opposable to the fingers of
both the fore and hind limbs, which enables them to
grasp any object firmly with .either, and renders them
expert climbers. The most casual stroller through a
menagerie, must be immediately struck with the
surprising agility, the powerful leaps and swings, and
the complete gliding ease, with which air these motions
are performed ; and an observer in their natural abodes
will soon arrive at the conclusion, that their habits
are strictly arboreal, and that their economy is in-
timately connected with the boundless forests of the
tropics. They are in fact seldom seen at any distance
from woods, and the species which inhabit craggy pre-
cipices, such as those in the neighbourhood of the Cape
of Good Hope, in Barbary, and about Gibraltar, deviate
from the type, become more quadruped in their form
and actions, and have therefore always been placed
last in our systems.

Their true and natural abodes are the trackless
forests, which so richly clothe the countries under the
tropics, and which alike supply them with food, and
protect them from fhe heat of those scorching climes.
During the middle period of the day, these forests are
filled with the animal world, courting their grateful
shades, silent and resting ; and it is only in some deep
deep glade, " afraid to glitter in the noontide beams,"
that the screams of an awakened parrot, or gambols of a
monkey, disturb the universal solitude. So soon, how-
ever, as a declining sun and the evening breezes reduce

72 NATURAL HISTORY OF

the overpowering feelings, do the inhabitants of those
vast nurseries resume the exercise of their daily routine,
and none among them .occupy a more conspicuous
place than this family. The more timorous attract
the observer's attention by their endeavours of con-
cealment ; and the protrusion of numerous little heads,
with bright arid searching eyes, from behind the thick
boughs and foliage, plainly tells that curiosity almost
overbalances the fear of self-preservation. The more
forward again, force attention by the shower of rotten
branches, fruit, flowers, and nuts, and sometimes
materials of a less agreeable kind, that are either
directed against, or unintentionally fall near, the object
which thus attracts the attention of this prying as.
sembly; while the annoyed feelings of the spectator
soon give way to admiration, at the light and airy
gambols of those which think themselves beyond the
reach of danger, or are amused at the grimaces, and
grotesque attitudes, and half threats of those in the
immediate vicinity. This interval of activity in the
tropical forest, lasts for a comparatively short period ;
a few morning and evening hours of milder heat, are
sufficient to satisfy all their wants; the blaze of a
vertical sun, or a short twilight, again obliges them
to seek a covering from its beams, or a place of rest
and security from depredators, whose turn it now is
to satisfy the cravings of nature.

But there are some tribes inhabiting South America,
which reverse this order, and are nocturnal in their

MONKEYS. 73

habits. Some of the larger species remaining in com-
plete inactivity during daylight, come forth at night,
and make the forest resound with their yells and howl-
ing. Speaking of the Red Howler, an eccentric writer
observes, " Nothing can sound more dreadful than its
nocturnal howlings. While lying in your hammock
in those gloomy and immeasurable wilds, you hear him
howling at intervals from eleven o'clock at night till
daybreak. You would suppose that half the wild
beasts of the forest were collecting for the work of car-
nage. Now it is the tremendous roar of the jaguar, as
he springs on his prey ; now it changes to his terrible
deep-toned growlings, as he is pressed on all sides
by superior force ; and now you hear his last dying
moan beneath a mortal wound."*

A deep and dark evergreen, or the hollow of some
decaying tree, like the " shrouded owls," are the
abodes during the day of other small species ; and,
when removed from their dormitory, a dreamy motion
and piteous wailing, are the only exertions which an-
nounce that their rest has been disturbed, or their
feelings incommoded. During the night, on the con-
trary, they are all energy.

The food of this family may be called almost entirely
vegetable. The accounts of their love for animal food,
and relish for that of human beings, as related by

Waterton's Wanderings, 8vo edit. 305.

4 NATURAL HISTORY OF

Neiuhoff,* can only be traced to the same sources
with the other unsubstantiated reports concerning
them, and become naturally associated, in the minds
of the inhabitants, with the hideous forms and im-
mense tusks of the larger species. The forest will
supply them with nourishment, in the endless variety
of fruits and nuts, roots and juicy shrubs. Insects
are also greedily devoured by all, and as expertly
caught.t The stores of the wild bees furnish another
repast, and the eggs, and occasionally the young of
birds, is the only approach which can be traced to a
carnivorous propensity.

There are some accounts of the orangs feeding on
crabs and -shellfish ; but we are not sure of the autho-

* " The province of Fohier hath an animal perfectly resembling
man, but longer armed, and hairy all over, called Fesse, most swift
and greedy after human flesh, which, that he may better take his
prey, he feigneth laughter, and suddenly, while the person stands
listening, seizeth upon him."

-f- A curious manner of feeding, is thus related by Ludolf in his
History of Ethiopia : " Of apes there are infinite flocks up and
down in the mountains, a thousand and more together. There
they leave no stone unturned. If they meet with one that two
or three cannot lift, they call for more aid, and all for the sake of
the worms that lie under a sort of diet which they relish exceed-
in<rly. They are very greedy after emmets. So that having found
an emmet hill, they presently surround it, and laying their fore
paws, with the hollow downwards, upon the ant heap, as fast as
the emmets creep into their, treacherous palms, they lick them off
with great comfort to their stomachs ; and there they will li till
there is not an emmet left."

MONKEYS. 75

rity wherice they have been obtained. Gemelli Car*
reri tells us., that the orangs descend from the moun-
tains when the fruits are exhausted, where they feed
on various shellfish, but particularly on a large species
of oyster. " Fearful of putting in their paws, lest
the oyster should close and crush them, they insert a
stone within the shell, which prevents it from closing,
and then drag out their prey and devour it at leisure !"
In those districts where cultivation has advanced,
they become exceedingly troublesome, and from their
numbers do no inconsiderable injury to the foreign
husbandman ; an amiable poet thus mentions their
depredations among the sugar groves :

" Destructive, on the upland sugar groves
The monkey nation preys ; from rocky heights,
In silent parties, they descend by night,
And posting watchful sentinels, to warn
When hostile steps approach ; with gamhols, they
Pour o'er the cane grove. Luckless he to whom
That land pertains !"

In like manner, when a remission of watchfulness
occurs, do they plunder the maize fields, and rob the
orchards of their choicest fruits ; ee they are so impu-
dent, that they will come into the gardens and eat such
sorts of fruit as grow there," says Knox;* andThunberg
relates, that such is the superstitious respect in which
the Entellus monkey is held by the natives, that what-
ever ravages they may commit, they dare not venture
* Knox's Ceylon.

70 NATUEAL HISTORY OF

to destroy them. Emboldened by this impunity,, they
come down from the woods in large herds, and taka
possession of the husbandman's toil, with as little
ceremony, as though it had been collected for their
use.

In a state of confinement, vegetable diet continues
their favourite and most nourishing support ; but they
will eat almost anything that the luxury of man has
introduced, and some even become remarkable for their
peculiarities. Among the greater part of them, the
love of wine or diluted spirits becomes almost a pas-
sion ; they are often offered as a bribe to the perform-
ance of various tricks, and they will always be greedily
drunk when left within reach. Vosmaer's orang, one
day when loose, commenced its exploits by finishing a
bottle of Malaga wine. Happy Jerry, the ribbed nose
baboon in Exeter Change, performed all his tricks
upon the anticipation of a glass of gin and water ; and
the relish and expression with which it was taken,
would have done honour to the most accomplished
taster.

Nearly the whole family are gregarious,* and troops
of many hundreds together may be seen in the forest
glades and openings, or upon the banks of the noble
rivers, which,

" Shaded and rolling on through sunless solitudes,"
form almost the only passages in those vast countries.

* Plthecia chiropotes^ Humb., and a few other species, live in
pairs.

HOTKEYS. 77

Wherever we peruse the journeys of travellers, who have
explored the interior of the tropics, we find accounts of
almost innumerable bands which crowd the wooded
banks, doubtless astonished at such visiters, and exhi-
biting every attitude and grimace, that the impulses of
fear and caution can supply. In general, they live
together in harmony, unless when slightly disturbed
by rivalry after some favourite supply of food, in which
cases, the love and knowledge of power is fully shown
and exercised by the strong over their weaker com-
panions. Intruders of any other species are either
expelled, or, -if too powerful, are chattered at with all
their natural petulance, and stolen opportunities are
watched, to pilfer the attracting store, or annoy the un-
welcome aggressor.

Their breeding-places are various cloven trees,
perhaps a forsaken nest which has already reared a
feathered progeny rocks, thickets of brush, and
rank grassy herbage, all afford sheltered nursing-
places. The young, seldom more than two, are
attended with the greatest care and anxiety by the
female ; and long after they are able to follow their
troop, on the approach of danger, will attach them-
selves to the parent, who will encounter almost any-
thing in their defence, and who, from the utmost
timidity, becomes fierce and reckless of every opponent.
It is singular, however, that in confinement the very
reveise most frequently takes place ; and when these
animal* have, with great care and attention, been

78 NATURAL HISTORY OF

productive, the offspring was immediately left, and
the greatest apathy exhibited. Under every advantage
Frederic Cuvier was unsuccessful twice,, and found it
impossible to preserve the young beyond a few hours.*
In geographical distribution, the quadrumanous
order presents some curious examples. That part ot
them to which this volume is devoted, is found in three
divisions of the world, and is entirely confined to the
warmer parts. Europe, with one exception, which
merely skirts its southern border, and North America,
are without them, from the unsuitable nature of the
climate ; and among the various anomalous forms pecu-
liar to New Holland, and the vast archipelago of the
Southern Ocean, scarcely one approaches to any reseni'
blance. The smaller formed long-tailed monkey^
(which constitute the numerous family of Guenons in
the systems,) of mild disposition and playful manners
and generally clothed with a fur of considerable beauty,
are in a general way distributed over Africa and India;
among these, however, the genus Semnopithecus of
F. Cuvier, seems exclusively Indian, while, with a
few exceptions, the Cercopitheci of the same naturalist,
and Cercocebi of Geoffroy, inhabit Africa. The most
typical forms in the zoology of these countries, are, in
the last ; the baboons, or Cynocephali, more bestial
in all their forms and habits, and deviating from
the quadrumanous type. In one or two aberrant

* The Ouistiti produced three in confinement, and nursed them
\vitli great attention. See our description of that species.

MONKEYS. 79

instances they reach India, and the Barbary ape passes
the European boundary, and may be looked on as the
extreme limit of the family in that direction. The
form again most typical to India, is seen in the long-
armed apes or Gibbons, (Ht/lobatcs, Illiger,) approach-
ing the orangs somewhat"in structure, found exclusively
in the islands and continent, stretching northward in
the Chinese dominions, but not existing in any land
that can be allied to the continent of Africa.

The Indian islands possess another very singular
animal in the proboscis monkey, ( Nasal is } Geoffrey,)
which, to the form of the orangs, joins a considerable
length of tail ; but the greatest peculiarity is the shape
of the nose, which is prolonged to an extraordinary
degree, and can be compared to nothing so justly, as
some of the pasteboard masks, which may be daily
seen at the windows of our fancy toyshops. Extend-
ing our researches farther in the Asiatic continent, we
find, in the western district of China, another curious
form, furnished with long arms and tail, but of rather
graceful proportions, with a fur of rich colouring,
destitute of the bare callosities, and possessing some-
what the flattened face of the American monkeys.
It is the Chinese monkey, and constitutes Illiger's genus
Lasiopaga. Some zoologists ascribe the Island of
Madagascar as another abode of this animal, but we
strongly suspect, that, however allied in resemblance,
it will prove distinct. But the most interesting form
to these continents, is the orangs, common to both,

80 NATURAL HISTORY Or

but in indifferent individuals ; and these, as far as our
knowledge extends, confined to a very limited space :
that of India inhabits almost exclusively the Island
of Borneo, while the Afiican representative is found
only on the eastern coast, and particularly in Angola
and Congo.

These are the principal forms inhabiting the old
world ; South America possesses others of great pecu-
liarity, and it is remarkable, that none of them can be
placed in any of the African or Asiatic groups. The
nostrils are always divided by a broader separation,
the size and strength is much less ; in some, the pro-
portions are very diminutive, and in a few, the habits
become completely nocturnal. The inhabitants of this
region, also ey^iM; the most perfect adaptation of struc-
ture for climbing and a silvan life, and the formation of
the tail in the greater part, is a most efficient assistant
in grasping and supporting themselves among the
branches, and some can even introduce the extremity
in the narrow parts of the bark, and withdraw from
thence any small substance.* Among the Howlers, we
see somewhat of the form and appearance of the
baboons, which they also resemble in their larger size,
their strength, and fiercer dispositions, and in the
structure of the laryngeal sacks, which are connected
with the os hyoides. We find, in the genus Hapales, an
approach to the insectivorous mammaliae, in the hooked

* Humboldt, Zool. Observations, page 329. Description of
Marimonda in present volume.

MONKEYS. 81

claws of the fore extremities, instead of nails ; and in
several of the other forms, a departure from the quad-
rum anous types, and a joining with the Lemuridce.

As the quadrumanous races approach nearest to
man in structure, and consequently in actions, it will
be proper to point out some of the principal distinctions
which corporeally separate them; and for this purpose,
we shall confine ourselves to the two orangs, which'
have been universally allowed to bear the strongest
resemblance. We do not intend to institute a strict
comparison between the monkey and human organiza-
tion, and to adduce proof from the comparison, that
tney are distinct as well in structure as in nature ;
we consider this quite unnecessary, and think that in
all our systems, man should be kept entirely distinct.
As he is infinitely pre-eminent by the high and pecu-
liar character and power of his mind, and the future
destination of his immaterial part, so has he been
stamped with a bearing lofty and dignified, with

" Far nobler shape, erect and tall, j

Godlike erect, with native honour clad."

We wish chiefly to illustrate, by their difference, that
the parts allotted for locomotion in the most man-like
monkey, are unfitted for sustaining an upright attitude,
while* they are beautifully adapted to perform all the
requisites of a silvan life.

The first distinction that would undoubtedly strike
an observer of an orang and human being placed in

82 NATURAL HISTORY OF

the same enclosure, would be the positions and atti-
tude ; and a closer attention would soon convince, that
the corresponding members in each, while beautifully
formed for their proper uses, could not be employed
to perform similar actions, with an equal degree of
strength, firmness, or ease.

Few persons, in the present era, will assert,

. " Men have four legs by nature,

And that 'tis custom makes them go
Erroneously upon but two."

While the fact, that no nation in the world assumes any
except the erect attitude, will be sufficiently conclusive,
without making use of the many arguments which might
be drawn from the adaptation of structure. Let us now
see how this agrees with the natural gait of the orangs.
In man, the limbs, the principal organs of progression,
and of maintaining the upright position, are equal in
length to the head and trunk together, while the
upper extremities are comparatively short. The glutei
muscles are the largest in the human body, and the
gastronemi, or calf, are of immense power, and ter-
minate in a powerful cord, inserted in the extremity
of the bone, forming the heel or os calcis. These,
however, would be insufficient, without a surface or
base on which the trunk itself could rest ; and we
find this supplied by a broad and capacious pelvis,
with which the thigh-bones form a right angle, by
means of the length of the cervix femoris, or neck

MONKETS. 83

of the thigh-bone. In the orangs, on the contrary,
and. indeed in all the monkeys, the lower extremities
are comparatively short, while the upper, or arms,
are very long, so as to allow the knuckles to be
applied to the ground when the animal is nearly
erect, and which is, in fact, the mode of progression
always adopted when necessity requires this position.
The black orang noticed by Dr Tyson advanced in
this manner, and that dissected by Dr Trail was
observed never to place " the palms of the hands on
the ground." Dr Abel's red orang performed " the
progressive motion by placing his bent fists upon the
ground, and drawing his body between his arms." The
narrowness of the pelvis, and the short neck of the
femur, forming an acute angle with the spine, also
renders the erect position impossible for any time,
and always irksome, which is farther confirmed by
the weakness of the muscles. The glutei are scarcely
visible, and the calves are very weak.*

The extensors of the knee are much stronger in the
human subject than in other mammalia, as their
operation of extending the thigh forwards on the leg,
forms a very essential part in the human mode o
progression. The flexors of the knee are, on the con-
trary, stronger in animals, and are inserted so much
iower down, even in the monkeys, that the cord
which they form keeps the knee habitually bent,

" Les fesscs etoient presque aulles, ainsi que Ics mollets " -
F. CUVIER.

84 ffATUKAL HISTORY OP

and almost prevents the perfect extension of the leg
on the thigh.* " The motion of the knee-joint in the
black orang was free backwards, but the animal does
not seem capable of perfect extension of this joint, from
the contraction of the posterior muscles of the limb." t
Continuing the organization of the lower extremity,
we shall now examine the foot. In man, the whole
surface of the tarsus, metatarsus, and toes, rests upon
the ground, and the os caleis forms a right angle with
the leg. In the orangs, this bone begins to form an
acute angle with the limb, and consequently does not
rest upon the ground. The sole of the foot becomes
narrower ; and in all the attempts at erect progression,
exhibited by the orangs which have been shown in

* Dr Trail.

j- " The most remarkable muscle about the top of the thigh, has
not been noticed by Tyson, Camper, Cuvier, or the older anato-
mists. It is a flat triangular muscle, arising from the whole anterior
edge of the ileum to within half an inch of the acetabulum, and is
inserted just below the fore part of the great trochanter, between
the head of the cruralis and vastus externus, a little below the
origin of the former. It is thin and fleshy through its whole
extent, except where it is inserted by a very short flattened tendon.
At its upper part it is united by cellular substance to the iliacus
internus. The action of this muscle appears to be intended to
aauist in climbing. On this account, we propose to name it the
&j widens, or musculus scansorius ; and we are disposed to regard
it as one of the principal peculiarities in Simla satyrus."~Dti
TEAIL. Account of Black Orang. Wern. Soc. Trans. Vol.
iii. p,29.

MOKOYS. S5

this country, the foot was observed to rest on its outer
edge. The plantaris muscle also, which is very fleshy
among quadrumanous animals, instead of terminating,
as it does in man, by insertion in the os calcis, passes
over that bone into the sole, and is there connected with
the plantar aponeurosis, an arrangement incompatible
with the erect attitude, as the tendon would be com-
pressed, and its action impeded, if the heel rested on
the ground.* But the most marked peculiarity in the
foot, and one which is instantly perceived, is the great
length of the phalanges or toes, and the position of
the great toe, which is placed nearly in a line with
the ankle, and does not reach, at the nail, within an
inch of the first met atarsal joint, having the appearance
of a thumb and hand, whose office it hi reality performs,
^or is the internal conformation less remarkable ; the
whole arrangement of muscles is much nearer to that
of a hand ; but the thumbs of both the fore and hind
extremities have no separate flexor longus, (long flex-
or,) but receive tendons from the flexors of the fingers.
ef Hence, the thumbs in these animals will generally
be bent together with the other fingers ; and they are
less capable of those actions in which the motion of the
thumb is combined with that of the fore and middle
finger a combination so important in numerous deli-
cate operations." t

The upper extremity approaches much nearer to the

* Lawrence, Nat. Hist, of Man, f Ibid, page 162

fc6 NATTTEAL HISTOET OF

human form, and in its similarity points out the
unfitness of these animals for a constant quadruped
motion. The inferior structure of the hands,, and
particularly the thumbs, show them fitted for grasping
alone, and incapable of performing any nice mecha-
nical operation, while the great comparative length
indicates their utility in climbing, and therefore their
fitness for an arboreal life.

All the orangs which have been dissected, had
scarcely reached their second year. The relative pro-
portions, therefore, of the skull and brain to the body,
cannot be fixed or compared with those of the adult
human being. The relations of the brain, however,
as far as have been observed, are nearly similar, and
the principal differences in the skull of the nearest
form, the black orang, are thus mentioned by Dr Trail:
" The top of the head is more flat, and its union
with the spine farther back. The orbital processes of
the os frontis project about half an inch beyond the
general convexity of that bone ; and the orbits of the
eyes are proportionally larger and rounder than in
man. The depression which receives the cribriform
plate of the ethmoid bone, is much deeper and smoother
on the sides; while the apertures in that bone, for
the passage of the olfactory nerves, -are considerably
larger. Instead of the well-defined boundaries traced
in the human skull by the crucial ridge, they were
marked by a flat undulation of the occipital bone.
There is no mastoid, and scarcely a vestige of a hyloid

MONKEYS. 67

process, (consequently the muscles which arise from
these processes in man, have a different origin.) The
bones of the nose were placed perfectly flat on the
face, so as not to be visible in the profile of the skull,
and the triangular opening was circular. The supra-
maxillary bones projected considerably beyond the
remarkable orbiter process of the frontal bone, being
the form of the lower part of the bone nearer to that
of quadrupeds. The lower jaw was stronger and
narrower/'

The superior maxillary bones in man are united to
each other, and contain the whole of the upper teeth ;
but in most of the mammaliee, they are separated by
a third bone of a wedge shape, which contains the
incisor teeth. Blumenbach named this the os inter-
maxillare. According to that anatomist, and Camper,
it is found in the red orang; whereas, according to
Tyson and Daubenton, it was not seen in the chim-
panzee, or black orang ; nor does Dr Trail mention
having observed it in the specimen which he dissected.
" The brute face/' says Lawrence, " is merely an
instrument, adapted to procure and prepare food, and
often a weapon of offence and defence. The human
countenance is an organ of expression, an outward
index of what passes in the busy world within. In
the animal, the elongated and narrow jaws with their
muscles, with their sharp cutting teeth, or strong-
pointed and formidable fangs, compose the face ; the
chin, lips, cheeks, eyebrows and forehead, are either

8S NATURAL HISTOET OT

removed, or reduced to a size and form simply neces-
sary for animal purposes ; the nose is confounded with
the upper jaw and lip, or, if more developed, is still
applied to offices connected with procuring food/' In
the whole we have the muzzle, or snout of an animal,
not the countenance of a human being.

The articulation of the head with the spine, which
determines its support, is, in the human subject, very
nearly in the centre ; and the vertical line of the
neck and trunk is nearly perpendicular, and would
pass through the top of the head ; consequently the
whole weight is sustained by the vertebral column.
In most animals, the great occipital hole, and the
articular condyles, are placed almost at the end of
the skull, throwing the whole weight of the head for-
wards, and it is incapable of being supported by the
vertebral column, without some very powerful assist-
ing machinery. Hence, we find the spinous processes
of the cervical vertebrae long, and assisted by a
very strong ligament, called the ligamentum nuchse,
or suspensorium colli. In the orang, the occipital
hole is placed twice as far from the jaws as from
the back of the head, which throws a great additional
weight forwards, and consequently requires more exer-
tion to maintain the erect position. But although we
find, according to Camper, that the spinous processes
of the cervical vertebrae are long, and see a greater
developement of them in the Batavian pongo, there is
no mention in any author of the presence of the sua-

MOSTKEYS. 89

penscry ligament, which is also used as an argument
tnat the natural gait of these animals is not quadruped;
for the immense weight of the jaws of the adults, placed
so far off the centre, could not possibly be supported in
that position, without some provision of this kind.
Additional confirmation of this argument is the absence
of the suspensorium oculi, a muscle found in quadrupeds,
and evidently intended to relieve the others, and be a
greater support to the eyes when continued in the
prone position.

These are the principal peculiarities of structure con-
nected with progression and attitude ; and it must be
at once perceived, that neither the erect or quadruped
posture, is the common and natural one of the monkeys,
and that they will employ either as occasion requires,
in their silvan or rocky abodes. Every other part
of the form will present some difference ; but with
the exception of the construction of the larynx, and
principal organs employed in the faculty of speech, we
shall merely mention a few of the remaining most pro-
minent peculiarities exhibited by the African and
Asiatic orangs.

There were only four lumbar vertebrae in Dr Trail's
orang, in this respect similar to the Asiatic species dis-
sected by Messrs Owen and Yarrel. In the first animal,
however, there were thirteen dorsal vertebras, and a
similar number of ribs ; in the latter, only twelve of
each. The lower opening of the pelvis in the black
orang is very large ; the sacrum is very narrow. No

90 NATURAL HISTOIiT OF

occipito-frontalis muscle was found in the black orang,
while it was distinctly seen in the red species by Messrs
Owen and Yarrel. In the same animal, three muscles
were found to supply the place of the pectoralis major ;
and the peculiar muscle called the levator damcuLce
is found in both. In the black orang the size of the
olfactory nerve is great, and the surface of the turbi-
nated bones extensive, which would lead us to infer
that the sense of smelling was powerful, and of course
of necessary use in its economy.

The larynx of these animals present some curious
peculiarities. The best account, perhaps, is that given
by Camper of the red orang. After examining the
tongue, that anatomist continues, " pursuing my dis.
section, I discovered a large sack on the right side, run
ing over the clavicular bones, and another on the left
side, but visibly smaller. The large sack tore a little
on account of its being tender, by having lain so long
in spirits. I inflated it through the opening, which I
continued quickly, as I perceived that the air went off
betwixt the tongue bone and the thyroideus cartilage.
I then followed up the rent with a pair of scissors,
and cut open the sack, by which means I discovered a
transverse split. There was now no doubt but that
the left sack had a similar orifice.

" In pursuance of it, I took away the whole soft
palate and oesophagus as far as below the speaking
organs. The soft palate is the same as in most quad-
rupeds, with this difference, nevertheless, that the

91

?ivula on tb.e hind side runs very evidently downwards,
Imt not beneath the margin of the soft palate. This
palate appears, however, more capable than in other
animals of being contracted/'

In other two orangs " there was merely one single
sack, having two air tubes, which united themselves
with the two splits." This, he thinks, had been for-
merly two, " but that the two sacks were gone over
into one."

In one of the animals, " the bottom (of the sack) rose
nearly to the end of the breast bone, and was partly
covered by the breast muscles ; the sack rose upwards
above the clavicular bones, and with the appendages
still more backward, so that this sack penetrated on
each side deep under the monk's-hood muscles, as far
as behind upon the shoulder blades."

Camper is of opinion, that this sack increases in size
with the age of the animal ; and that the frequent ex-
pansion by the air, is the cause of the increase.

" The orang can, in the mean time, voluntarily
swell up these sacks, or this united sack, whenever it
tries or attempts to press the strongly inhaled air out-
wards, and presses then the epiglottis towards the
openings of the larynx, or bends it only a little. It
can also empty them at pleasure by means of the
broad muscles of the neck, by those of the breast, and
by the cuculares, 01 monk's-hood muscles."

In the black orang, according to Dr Trail, the os
hyoides differed from that of man, in being anteriorly

92 NATURAL HISTOET OP

more prominent and dilated, and by containing in its
body a cavity capable of holding a large pea. On lay-
ing open the posterior part of the larynx, the two
apertures at the base of the epiglottis, and leading to
the laryngeal pouches discovered by Camper, were
visible.

The great difference in these organs from the human
are the large sacks, which evidently produce the power-
ful and deep sounds uttered by so many of this
tribe. In the black orang, being carried into the body
of the os hyoides, it shows the first indication of struc-
ture so peculiarly belonging to the American howlers.
In the Siamang, remarkable for the power of voice,
the simple sacks are so extensive as to protrude pro-
minently to outward view. They prevent the ut-
terance of systematic sounds which the other organs
might produce, by preventing a power of control over
the air. " Every time that the animal would uttei
his cry, these sacks swell, then empty themselves, sc
that he is not able, at will, to supply to the differert
parts of his mouth the sounds they might articulate.*

In intellect we consider the quadrumanous animals,
notwithstanding what has been written and recorded
of many of them, not superior, and in many cases
inferior, to others of the animal creation ; it has the
same constitutional distinctions, and presents the
same great differences, from a true reasoning power.

* Richerand, Physiology, p. 424.

MONKEYS. 93

But among the many anecdotes related of the under-
standing of the orang-outang, and other monkeys, some
may be classed as under the influence of a higher power
of discrimination than mere instinct, and where a pro-
cess, as it were, of discussion passed in the sensorium of
the animal. As an example of what we mean, we may
mention an anecdote of the young red orang, lately
exhibited in Edinburgh by Mr Cops, and figured on
our second plate.

Mr Cops one day gave him the half of an orange,
a fruit of which he was passionately fond, and
laid the other half aside upon the upper shelf of a
press out of his reach and sight. Some time after,
Mr Cops being reclining upon a sofa with his eyes
closed, the orang began to prowl about the room,
and showed that, notwithstanding his apparent in-
attention, the position of his favourite orange had
been narrowly watched. Anxious to see the result,
he continued quiet, and feigned sleep. Jocko
cautiously approached the sofa, examined as far
as he could that his guardian was sound, and mount-
ing quietly and expeditiously, finished the remaining
half of the orange, carefully concealed the peel in the
grate among some paper shavings, and having again
examined Mr Cops,, and seeing nothing doubtful in
the reality of his sleep, retired confidently to his own
couch. Here there must have been a detailed series
of impressions during the progress of the action ;
but in common with the construction of the brute

94 NATUEAL HISTORY OF

mind, Tie was incapable of extending the power farther,
or of reasoning upon that action, during the perfor-
mance of which his intellect had gone through several
distinct processes. All their actions in a state of
confinement may be traced to the same source, while
those in a state of nature will be more akin to instinct,
and will be performed under the impulses of the
various passions.

Cunning joined with caution, an inquisitive and
prying turn, and imitativeness, are the strong charac-
ters in the disposition of the whole family. All
these faculties and propensities become more developed
in a state of confinement, and consequently of tuition,
than in their natural wildness ; and while the first, in
both states, is indispensable for their preservation,
it is by the influence of the others that they are prin-
cipally indebted to confinement, and the parts they are
made to perform in the beggarly dramas performed in
the streets of our great towns. Their power of imita-
tion is very great, and often ludicrous in the extreme,
from the expressive face, and human-like form of the
upper parts. This talent has even been said to have
been used to their own destruction ; we have heard
of monkeys cutting their throats, in imitation of the
feigned action of the person whom they annoyed,
and of one who killed himself by infusing a paper of
tobacco with milk and sugar, instead of tea, and drink-
ing it as he had observed some sick sailor do. How
far these are true we shall not attempt to decide;

MONKEYS. 95

certain it is, that tnese animals most ludicrously pos.
sess this propensity, and that those we have seen aa
pets, would almost perform any thing once pointed out
to them,, and would always make the attempt.

For the arrangement of these animals in the de-
scriptive part of our volume, we have followed the old
practice of dividing them into two great geographical
groups, while we have introduced most of the new
genera. This plan we found to be the most convenient
during the progress, and perhaps liable to less objec-
tion in a work of this kind, than any other or newer
system, all of which yet fall short of our own ideas
of their correct classification.

The tiniest arrangement that has yet been proposed,
is that by Cuvier and Geoffroy Saint Hilaire,* and
they place the Sapajous immediately after the Orangs
and Gibbons. Another system of arrangement, which
would find both its friends and enemies in the ad-
vocates and disparagers of the circular or progres-
sive series, would be to descend from the Orangs, on the
one side of the circle, by the Gibbons, Nasalis, and
Colobus, the latter being the only form in the old
world with four fingers to the upper extremities, and
so far in this respect representing the genus Ateles
of the new. We have then the genus Lasiopyga,
which combines a great flatness of face to the form of
the Guenons which naturally follow, and thence the

* Journal de Physique.

90 NATURAL HISTORY OP

passage to the Baboons and Cynocephali is easy. On the
opposite side,, we would descend by the Sapajous and
Sagoins to Ateles, thence to the Howlers or Baboons
of the new world- and onwards by the Pithecia 01
Desmarets, to the small species with nooket* and
sharp claws. We would still, in this way, have a
space between these diminutive insectivorous species,
deviating so much from the quadrumanous type and
the cynocephalom baboons'; but this appears to fill
itself naturally up by the Lemuridce, the small species
of which seem intimately connected with the little
monkeys above mentioned, while there will be a
natural gradation from the baboons to the genus Licha-
notus of Illiger, or the Indri of Sonnerat and Audibert.
This view of their arrangement would doubtless re-
quire alterations to perfect \t ; but something of the
kind seems the most natural method, and the orders
of the Carnivora and Rodentia, whichever shall be
found to follow most naturally, would touch at the
various points of the circle representing their respec-
tive families.

For the illustrations of the present volume, we have
been at considerable pains. In a few instances Mr
Lizars has been able to draw from the living animals,
and our best thanks are due to Mr Cops, for allowing
copies to be made from his interesting specimen of the
red orang, and also to Mr Womb well for the sketch
of the white eyelid monkey. Professor Jameson
pointed out the specimen of the hoolack lately re-

MONKEYS. 97

ceived in the Edinburgh Museum ; and for the re-
mainder we are indebted to the beautiful but expen-
sive works of the continental naturalists. We have
made free use of Humboldt's Zoological Observa-
tions, and his History of the Monkeys of the Ori-
nooko ; of Frederic Cuvier's great work on the Mam-
maliae ; Audibert, Histoire Naturelle des Singes, and
of Spix and Martius's History of the New Brazilian
species.

Having thus so far endeavoured to detail the habits
and economy of this curious family, and the general
plan of our volume, we shall at once proceed to th
description of the animals themselves.

98 THE NATURAL HISTORY OF

MONKEYS OF ASIA AND AFRICA, OR
THOSE OF THE OLD WORLD.

THE ORANGS.

THE animals which have generally been placed in
this division are those, which of all creation, ap-
proach nearest to man in their structure. They have
generally been placed first in our systems, and we
have now to point out those characters important in
arrangement, and the distinctions which will separate
the species. They have been divided into three
genera, the first of which is named Troglodytes by
Geoffroy Saint Hilaire, and is characterised by a facial
angle of 50 ; distinct superciliary ridges ; the canine
teeth slightly elongated, and placed close to the
cutting teeth, as in man ; the head rounded ; the
muzzle short ; no tail, cheek pouches, or callosities ;
the ears resembling those of man, but large and pro-
jecting. It contains only one species.

TROGLODYTES NIGER.
( The Black Orang'.)

UNIVERSITY

THE BLACK OEANG. 09

THE BLACK ORANG.

Troglodytes niger GEOFFROY.

PLATE I.

Great Ape, Pennant. Troglodytes chimpanzee, Geoff roy Saint
Hilaire, Annales du Museum, xix. p. 87. Troglodytes
niger, Desmarets Mammalogie, page 49. Black Orang of
Africa, Illustrations of Zoology by James Wilson* plate v.

fig. 2 Dr Trail, Transactions of Wernerian Society r ,

vol. hi. p. 1.

THIS singular animal has been mentioned by various
travellers under the names of Baris, Smitten, Quim-
pere, and Quojas-moras ; but the adult state remains
in even greater obscurity than that of its Asiatic re-
presentative, which we shall next endeavour to describe.
The relations of all travellers agree in the large and
powerful stature which this animal attains,, and we
have every reason to believe that this is the fact,
though they are always so mixed up with the mar-
vellous, and with accounts of their habits and sagacity,
so different from the attributes of an animal, that we
must certainly consider them undecided without some
more direct testimony; and, from their apparent incor-

100 THE NATURAL HISTORY OF

redness, the other pans of the relations have always
been received with a doubt.

The black orang is a native of Africa, and parti-
cularly the Guinea Coast and Angola ; they are said
to live in vast troops, and to be dangerous in their
attacks upon persons travelling alone in the forests
where they are found. They are covered with shi-
ning black hair, longest on the back and shoulders ;
our description of the adult state is, however, im-
perfect, and we refer to the minute detail given by
Dr Trail of a young specimen. Previous to men-
tioning it, we may relate an account from Bingley's
Animal Biography of a large specimen of this creature,
which seems to have been given upon some better
authority than most of the others : " Allemand, the
Dutch professor of natural history, had received many
vague and unsatisfactory accounts respecting an ani-
mal of this kind, and was induced to write to Mr
May, a captain in the Dutch naval service stationed
at Surinam. This gentleman found him exactly
similar to one which he had brought from Guinea,
except in size. He was nearly five feet and a half
high, and very strong and powerful. Mr May had
seen him take up his master, a stout man, by the
middle, and fling him from him for a pace or two ;
and one day he seized a soldier, who happened to pass
carelessly near the tree to which he was chained, arid,
if his master had not been present, he would actually
have earned the man into the tree/'

THE BLACK ORANG. 101

The age of this animal, when Mr May first saw it,
was about twenty- one years. It died in the following
year, but had evidently increased in height during the
interval. If we may depend on this account, we may
thence conclude that the height will reach six feet at
least, while the age attained by them will naturally
be considerable.

Young animals have only been exhibited in this
country, and we shall now give the account of Dr
Trail of one shown in Liverpool. We have extracted
it from the Transactions of the Wernerian Society :

" It was a female, and was procured in the Isle of
Princes in the Gulf of Guinea, from a native trader,
who had carried it thither from the banks of the
Gaboon. It was represented as a young animal, far
inferior in size to the specimens often seen in the re-
cesses of its native forests; and Captain Payne observed,
that it was at least eight or ten inches lower in stature
than another which he had seen in the Isle of Princes.

" The natives of Gaboon informed him, that this
species attains the height of five or six feet, that it is
a formidable antagonist to the elephant, and that
several of them will not scruple to attack the lion,
and other beasts of prey, with clubs and stones. It
is dangerous for solitary individuals to travel through
the woods haunted by the orang outang ; and instances
were related to Captain Payne of negro girls being
earned of by this animal, who have sometimes escaped
to human society, after having been for years detain

102 THE NATTTEAL HISTORY OF

by their ravishers in a frightful captivity. These
reports confirm the narratives of the early voyagers, who
have often been suspected of exaggeration, and similar
facts have been recently stated, very circumstantially,
by gentlemen who have lived in Western Africa.

f When first our animal came on board/ says Captain
Payne, ' it shook hands with some of the sailors, but
refused its hand, with marks of anger, to others, with,
out any apparent cause. It speedily, however, became
familiar with the crew, except one boy, to whom it never
was reconciled. When the seamen's mess was brought
on deck, it was a constant attendant ; would go round
and embrace each person, while it uttered loud yells,
and then seat itself among them to share the repast/
When angry, it sometimes made a barking noise like
a dog ; at other times it would cry like a pettish child,
and scratch itself with great vehemence. It expressed
satisfaction, especially on receiving sweetmeats, ' by
a sound like kern, in a grave tone;' but it seems to
have little variety in its voice. In warm latitudes,
it was active and cheerful, but became languid as it
receded from the torrid zone ; and on approaching our
shores, it showed a desire to have a warm covering,
and would roll itself carefully up in a blanket when
it retired to rest. It generally walked on all fours ;
and Captain Payne particularly remarked, that it
never placed the palm of the hands of its fore extre-
mities to the ground, but, closing its fists, rested on
the knuckles ; a circumstance also noticed by Tyscn,

THE BLACK OKANG-. 103

which was confirmed to me by a young navy officer.
who had been for a considerable time employed in the
rivers of Western Africa, and had opportunities of
observing the habits of this species. This animal did
not seem fond of the erect posture, which it rarely
affected, though it could run nimbly on two feet for
a short distance. In this case, it appeared to aid the
motion of its legs by grasping the thighs with its hands.
It had great strength in the four fingers of its superior
extremity ; for it would often swing by them on a
rope upwards of an hour, without intermission. When
first procured, it was so thickly covered with haif
that the skin of the trunk and limbs was scarcely
visible, until the long black hair was blown aside. It
ate readily every sort of vegetable food j but at first
did not appear to relish flesh, though it seemed to
have pleasure in sucking the leg-bone of a fowl. At
that time it did not relish wine, but afterwards
seemed to like it, though it never could endure ardent
spirits. It once stole a bottle of wine, which it un-
corked with its teeth, and began to drink. It showed
a predilection for coffee ; and was immoderately fond
of sweet articles of food. It learned to feed itself with
a spoon, to drink out of a glass, and showed a general
disposition to imitate the actions of men. It was at-
tracted by bright metals, seemed to take pride in
clothing, and often put a cocked hat on its head. It
was dirty in its habits, and never was known to wash

104 THE NATURAL HISTORY OF

itself. It was afraid of fire-arms ; and, on the whole,
appeared a timid animal.

f ' It lived with Captain Payne seventeen weeks, two
of which were spent in Cork and Liverpool. At the
former place it was exhibited for the benefit of the
soup Kitchen for a few days, but *eems to have been
there neglected. On coming to Liverpool, it languish-
ed a few days, moaned heavily, was oppressed in its
breathing, and died with convulsive motions of the
limbs.

' ' When erect this animal is about thirty inches high.
The skin appears of a yellowish-white colour, and is
thinly covered with long black hair on the front ; but
it is considerably more hairy behind. The hair on the
head is rather thin, and is thickest on the forehead,
where it divides about an inch above the orbiter pro-
cess of the frontal bone, and, running a little back-
wards, falls down before the ears, forming whiskers on
the cheeks. Here the hair measures nearly two inches
long ; but that on the occiput is not above an inch in
length. There are a few stiff black hairs on the eye-
prows, and a scanty eyelash. A few whitish hairs are
scattered on the lips, especially on the under one. The
rest of the face is naked, and has whitish and wrinkled
skin. There is scarcely any hair on the neck ; but,
commencing at the nape, it becomes somewhat bushy
on the back. The abdomen is nearly naked. The
hair on the back of the head, and the \\ hole trunk,

THE BLACK GUANO. 105

front ot the lower extremities, back of the legs, and
upper part of the superior extremities, is directed
downwards, while that on the back of the thigh and
fore arms is pointed upwards ; appearances well repre-
sented in Tyson's figure. The longest hair is just at the
elbows. There is none on the fingers or palms of either
extremity. The ears are remarkably prominent, thin,
and naked, bearing a considerable resemblance in shape
to the human, though broader at the top. The pro-
jection of the process above the eyes is very conspicu-
ous, but has not been sufficiently marked in any
engraving or drawing which has fallen under my ob-
servation. The nose is quite flat, or rather appears
only as a wrinkle of the skin, with a slight depression
along its centre. The nostrils are patulous, and open
upwards, which would be inconvenient did the ani-
mal usually assume the erect posture. The projection
of the jaws is excessive, and though much less so than
in the babbon, yet the profile of the face is concave.
It may be remarked, however, that the projection of
the lower jaw is 'caricatured in the first and second
figures of Camper's second plate. The mouth is wide,
the lips rather thin, and destitute of that recurvation
of the edges which add so much to the expression of
the human countenance. The whole contour of the
head bears no inconsiderable resemblance to some
Egyptian figures of the god Anubis.

" The spread of the shoulders is distinctly marked,
but the width of the lower part of the chest is propor

106 THE NATURAL HISTORY OF

tionally greater, when compared to the upper, than in
man.

' ' From the lower ribs, the diameter of the abdomen
decreases rapidly to the loins, where the animal ia
peculiarly slender; a circumstance in which it ap-
proaches the other Simice. The pelvis appears long
and narrow^ another approximation to the rest of the
genus.

ec With regard to the limbs, the chief difference
between our specimen and Dr Tyson's figure, consists
in the excessive length of the arms, which in this
animal descend below the knees, by the whole length
of the phalanges of the fingers, which are above three
inches in length. The same observation applies to
almost every figure of this animal which I have seen.
The proportions in the work of Camper approach
nearest, in the present instance, in this particular.
The hand differs from the human, in having the
thumb by far the smallest of the fingers. The foot is
more properly a hand appended to a tarsus. The
thumb of this extremity is very long, powerful, and
capable of great extension. The legs are certainly
furnished with calves ; but they scarcely resemble the
human in form, because they are continued of equal
thickness nearly to the heel. When this animal is
erect, the knees appear considerably bent, as is the case
with the other Simice, and it stands with the limbs
more apart than man."

Such is the minute description by Dr Trail. An^
>ther specimen of this animal, and one of the Asiatic

THE BLACK OEANGK 107

species, were exhibited together in the Egyptian Hall,
Piccadilly, in 1831, and afforded a treat to the lovers
of zoology. They were both very young ; the black
orang had been procured by a trading vessel on the
river Gambia, and was much the most pleasing of
the two. He was compared to a black child, but
with a head of overgrown proportions. He was very
docile, and generally playful and gentle ; like all his
tribe, he was fond of wine and water, or diluted
spirits; and they were used as an incentive for him
to perform his part before strangers. Neither of
these animals survived long, but fell victims to cold,
which seems invariably to affect the orangs, generally
before the expiry of the first winter.

Our plate is taken from a stuffed specimen in the
Edinburgh Museum, which, though not in a very
good or entire state of preservation, agrees generally
with the above descriptions.

The second form among the orangs is described by
Geoffroy under the title of Piihecus. The young
state of this animal may be said to be well known,
and at an age of from three to five years, may be
characterized by a facial angle of 65 ; by the canine
teeth exceeding the others in length,* and the molar
teeth being nearly square on the upper surface;
the head rounded, no cheek pouches or callosities ;

* In the adult, the canine teeth will far exceed the others in length.
as much nearly as among the strong carnivora.

108 THE NATURAL HISTOET OF

*he ears resembling those of man, but small, and
applied close to the head; the arms of consider-
able length. In the adult state, from what we im-
perfectly know, these characters will vary widely, and
etill more so if the Pongo shall ultimately prove iden-
tical with it, which the high authority of Cuvier would
now warrant us to consider decided, did there not exist
so very wide a difference between the characters given
by him and Lacepede, and those which so many in the
young state have exhibited. We have added the den-
tition of the Pongo from Frederic Cuvier, reduced two-
thirds, and the resemblance between it and the teeth
of the large Sumatran orang, will be immediately seen.

PITHECUS SATYRUS.

I The Reel or Asiatic Orfi-Qg-uut

UNIVERSITY

THE BED OE ASIATIC OEAffG-OUTANG. 109

THE RED OR ASIATIC ORANG-OUTANG.

Pithecus satyrus. G EOFFROY.

PLATES II. and II.

Simla satyrus, Linnaeus. -Jocko, Audibert, Histoire Naturette

des Singes Pithecus satyrus, Desmarets Mammologie,

p. 50 / Geoff roy Saint Hilaire, Annales du Museum, xix.

p. 88 The Red or Asiatic Orang-Outang, James Wilson's

Illustrations of Zoology, pi. v. figs, land 3. Orang-Outang,
Abel, Embassy to China, pages 319 and 365.

WE are fortunately possessed of more ample mate-
rials to illustrate the history of this singular animal,
than of the black orang of Africa ; but it is to be
regretted that what we have, also relate to indivi-
duals in a comparatively young state. One instance
only of the capture of what may be considered an adult
specimen is authentically recorded ; and the fragments
of that specimen, with the skull of a supposed adult
in the collection at Paris, are all from which we can
draw the true characters of this creature. Of the
existence of a most gigantic animal there can be no
doubt ; but it must either be an inhabitant of the in-
terior only, or must flee most rapidly from the en-

110 THE NATUEAL HISTOEY OP

croachments of civilization. The first is the most
probable; for it is scarcely possible, if ever an inhabi-
tant of the coasts, that a solitary individual only
should have been observed, during the very long period
that this country has been possessed by Europeans,
among whom were men most zealous in the pursuit of
natural history, and to whom this had been long held
up as one of the greatest acquisitions that could be
procured. This will appear the less singular when
we consider the immense extent of unknown territory,
occupied by forests almost boundless, and of the most
impenetrable description, and we may easily conceive
that they will possess many tenants, hitherto unseen
even to the piercing eyes of their native hunters. The
most unaccountable circumstance is, that the young
are so frequently met with, while the gigantic parents
have scarcely been perceived ; and, except in the in-
stance we have mentioned, exist only in the accounts
handed down from family to family.

We have seen the black orang of Africa to be very
local in the extent of its distribution, inhabiting but a
small portion of a vast continent. The red orang pos-
sesses the same peculiarity in its range, and seems
confined to the Islands of Borneo and Sumatra, and to
the peninsula of Malacca, inhabiting the immense
forests, and rarely appearing on their outskirts.

Since the arrival, in 1818, of the red orang, figured
Bad so admirably described by Dr Abel, several young

TflE BED OR ASIATIC OEAXG-OUTASG. Ill

specimens have been exhibited in England, and notes
of their manners while alive, with accounts of their
dissections, have generally been made and published.
None of these are equal, however, in minuteness or
interest to that of the assiduous naturalist we have
now mentioned; and though it has been frequently
copied into works treating of this subject, and is very
generally known, we should not consider the present
description complete without it. Dr Abel had a long
opportunity of observing the animal, and under less
constraint than any of those which have since reached
Britain. He was interested in, and well qualified for
the task, and his whole account bears the stamp of
truth, and close unbiased observation. We give the
description in his words, and unabridged.*

" This interesting animal was procured by Captain
Methuen, who brought him from Banjarmassing, on
the south coast of Borneo. He was informed by the
natives that he had been brought from the highlands
of the interior : that he was very rare and difficult to
take ; and they evidently considered him a great
curiosity, as they flocked in crowds to see him.

" The height of the animal, judging from his length

It Avas from this animal that the accurate figures in Mr James
Wilson's " Illustrations of Zoology" -were taken. The drawings
were made by the celebrated Hovrit, and were furnished to the
author by Dr Trail, Professor of Medical Jurisprudence Li the
Edinburgh University .

112 THE NATURAL HISTORY OP

when laid on a flat surface, and measured from his
heel to the crown of his head, is two feet seven inches.
The hair is of a brownish-red colour, and covers his
back, arms, legs, and outside of his hands and feet.
On the back it is in some places six inches long, and
on his arms five. It is thinly scattered over the back
of his hands and feet, and is very short. It is directed
downwards on the back, upper arm, and legs, and up-
wards on the fore arm. It is directed from behind
forwards on the head, and inwards on the inside of
the thighs. The face has no hair, except on its sides,
somewhat in the manner of whiskers, and a very thin
beard. The middle of the breast and belly was naked
on his arrival in England, but has since become hairy.
The shoulders, elbows, and knees, have fewer hairs
than other parts of the arms and legs. The palms of
the hands and feet are quite naked.

" The prevailing colour of the animal's skin, when
naked, or seen through the hair, is a bluish-grey. The
eyelids and margin of the mouth are of a light copper
colour. The inside of his hands and feet are of a
deep copper colour. Two copper-coloured stripes pass
from the armpits down each side of the body, as low
as the navel.

" The head viewed in front, is pear-shaped, expand-
ing from the chin upwards, the cranium being much the
larger end. The eyes are close together, of an oval
form, and dark brown colour. The eyelids are (ringed

THE EED On ASIATIC OBANG-OTJTANG. 113

with lashes, and the lower ones are saccular and
wrinkled. The nose is confluent with the face, except
at the nostrils, which are but little elevated ; their
openings are narrow and oblique. The mouth is very
projecting, and of a roundish mammillary form. Its
opening is large, but when closed is marked by little
more than a narrow seam. The lips are very narrow,
and scarcely perceptible when the mouth is shut.
The chin projects less than the mouth ; below it, a
pendulous membrane gives the appearance of a double
chin, and swells out when the animal is angry or much
pleased. Each of the jaws contains twelve teeth,
namely, four incisive teeth, the two middle ones of the
upper jaw being twice the width of the lateral ; two
canine, and six double teeth. The ears are small,
closely resemble the human ear, and have their lower
margins in the same line with the external angles of
the eyes.

" The chest is wide compared with the pelvis ; the
belly is very protuberant. The arms are long in pro-
portion to the height of the animal, their span measu-
ring full four feet seven inches and a half. The legs
are short compared with the arms.

** The hands are long, compared with their width,
and with the human hand. The fingers are small
and tapering ; the thumb is very short, scarcely reach-
ing the first joint of the forefinger. All the fingers
have very perfect nails, of a blackish colour and oval
form, and exactly terminating with the extremities of

114 THE NATURAL HISTORY OF

the fingers. The feet are long, resemble hands in the
palms, and in having fingers rather than toes, but have
heels resembling the human. The great toes are
very short, are set on at right angles to the feet close
to the heel, and are entirely without nails.

" The orang-outang of Borneo is utterly incapable
of walking in a perfectly erect posture. He betrays
this in his whole exterior conformation, and never
wilfully attempts to counteract its tendency. Hia
head leaning forward, and forming a considerable angle
with the back, throws the centre of gravity so far be-
yond the perpendicular, that his arms, like the fore-
legs of other animals, are required to support the body.
So difficult indeed is it for him to keep the upright posi-
tion for a few seconds, under the direction of his keeper,
that he is obliged, in the performance of his task, to
raise his arms above his head, and throw them behind
him to keep his balance. His progressive motion on a
flat surface is accomplished by placing his bent fists
upon the ground, and drawing his body between his
arms ; moving in this manner, he strongly resembles
a person decrepid in the legs, supported on stilts. In
a state of nature, he probably seldom moves along the
ground ; his whole external configuration showing his
fitness for climbing trees and clinging to their branches.
The length and pliability of his fingers and toes enable
him to grasp with facility and steadiness ; and the
force of his muscles empowers him to support his body
for a great length of time by one hand or foot. He

THE BED OR ASIATIC ORANG-OUTAtfO. 115

can thus pass from one fixed object to another, at the
distance of his span from each other, and can obviously
pass from one branch of a tree to another, through a
much greater interval. In sitting on a flat surface, this
animal turns his legs under him. In sitting on the
branch of a tree, or on a rope, he rests on his heels,
his body leaning forward against his thighs. This
animal uses his hands like others of the monkey
tribe.

v The orang-outang, on his arrival in Java from Ba-
tavia, was allowed to be entirely at liberty till within a
day or two of being put on board the Caesar, to be
conveyed to England ; and whilst at large, made no
attempt to escape, but became violent when put into
a large railed bamboo cage for the purpose of being
conveyed from the island. As soon as he felt himself
in confinement, he took the rails of the cage into his
hands, and shaking them violently, endeavoured to
break them in pieces ; but finding that they did not
yield generally, he tried them separately, and having
discovered one weaker than the rest, worked at it
constantly till he had broken it, and made his escape.
On board ship, an attempt being made to secure him
by a chain tied to a strong staple, he instantly IHU
fastened it, and ran off with the chain dragging be-
hind ; but finding himself embarrassed by its length,
he coiled it once or twice, and threw it over his shoui-
aer, This feat he often reueated, and when he found

116 THE NATURAL HISTOET OP

that it would not remain on his shoulder, he took it
into his mouth.

" After several abortive attempts to secure him more
effectually, he was allowed to wander freely about
the ship, and soon became familiar with the sailors
and surpassed them in agility.

ee They often chased him about the rigging, and gave
him frequent opportunities of displaying his adroitness
in managing an escape. On first starting, he would
endeavour to outstrip his pursuers by mere speed, but
when much pressed, elude them by seizing a loose
rope, and swinging out of their reach. At other times
he would patiently wait on the shrouds, or at the mast,
head, till his pursuers almost touched him, and then
suddenly lower himself to the deck by any rope that
was near him, or bound along the mainstay from one
mast to the other, swinging by his hands, and moving
them one over the other. The men would often shake the
ropes by which he clung with so much violence, as to
make me fear his falling, but I soon found that the
power of his muscles could not be easily overcome.
When in a playful humour, he would often swing
within arms-length of his pursuer, and having struck
him with his hand, throw himself from him.

" Whilst in Java, he lodged in a large tamarind tree
near my dwelling, and formed a bed by intertwining
the small branches and covering them with leaves.
During the day, he would lie with his head projecting

THE RED OB ASIATIC ORANG-OTJTANG. 117

beyond his nest, watching whoever might pass under,
and when he saw any one with fruit, would descend
to obtain a share of it. He always retired for the
night at sunset, or sooner if he had been well fed ; and
rose with the sun, and visited those from whom he
habitually received food.

" On board ship, he commonly slept at the mast-
head, after wrapping himself in a sail. In making
his bed, he used the greatest pains to remove every
thing out of his way that might render the surface on
which he intended to lie uneven ; and having satisfied
himself with this part of his arrangement, spread out
the sail, and lying down upon it on his back, drew it
over his body. Sometimes I preoccupied his bed, and
teased him by refusing to give it up. On these occa-
sions he would endeavour to pull the sail from under
me, or to force me from it, and would not rest till I
had resigned it ; if it was large enough for both, he
would quietly lie by my side. If all the sails happen-
ed to be set, he would hunt about for some other
covering, and either steal one of the sailors' jackets or
shirts that happened to be drying, or empty a ham-
mock of its blankets. Off the Cape of Good Hope,
he suffered much from a low temperature, especially
early in the morning, when he would descend from
the mast, shuddering with cold, and running up to
any one of his friends, climb into their arms, and
clasping them closely, derive warmth from their

118 THE NATURAL" HISTOEY OF

persons, screaming violently at any attempt to re-
move him.

cc His food in Java was chiefly fruit, especially man-
gostans, of which he was excessively fond. He also
sucked eggs with voracity, and often employed him-
self in seeking them. On board ship, his diet was
of no definite kind. He ate readily of all kinds of meat,
and especially raw meat ; was very fond of bread, but
always preferred fruits when he could obtain them.

' ' His beverage in Java was water ; on board ship
it was as diversified as his food. He preferred coffee
and tea, but would readily take wine, and exemplified
his attachment to spirits, by stealing the captain's
brandy bottle. Since his arrival in London, he has
preferred beer and milk to anything else, but drinks
wine and other liquors.

" In his attempts to obtain food, he afforded us
many opportunities of judging of his sagacity and dis-
position. He was always very impatient to seize it
when held out to him, and became passionate when
it was not soon given up, and would chase a person
all over the ship to obtain it. I seldom came on deck
without sweetmeats or fruit in my pocket, and could
never escape his vigilant eye. Sometimes I endea-
voured to evade him by ascending to the mast-head,
but was always overtaken or intercepted in my pro-
gress. When he came up with me on the shrouds,
he would secure himself by one foot to the rattling,
and confine my legs with the other and one of hi3

THE BED OR ASIATIC OEANG-OUTAXG. 119

hands, whilst he rifled my pockets. If he found it
impossible to overtake me, he would climb to a con-
siderable height on the loose rigging, and then drop
suddenly upon me. Or if, perceiving his intention, I
attempted to descend, he would slide down a rope and
meet me at the bottom of the shrouds. Sometimes I
fastened an orange to the end of a rope, and lowered
it to the deck from the mast-head ; and as soon as he
attempted to seize it, drew it rapidly up. After be-
ing several times foiled in endeavouring to obtain it
by direct means, he altered his plan. Appearing to
care little about it, he would remove to some distance,
and ascend the rigging very leisurely for some time,
and then, by a sudden spring, catch the rope which
held it. If defeated again, by my suddenly jerking
the rope, he would at first seem quite in despair re-
linquish his effort, and rush about the rigging scream-
ing violently. But he would always return, and
again seizing the rope, disregard the jerk, and allow
it to run through his hand till within reach of the
orange ; but if again foiled, would come to my side,
and taking me by the arm, confine it whilst he hauled
the orange up.

" This animal neither practises the grimace and
antics of other monkeys, nor possesses their perpetual
proneness to mischief. Gravity approaching to melan-
choly and mildness, were sometimes strongly expressed
in his countenance, and seem to be the character-
istics of his disposition. When he first came amongst

120 THE NATURAL HISTORY OF

strangers, he would sit for hours with his hand upon
his head, looking pensively at all around him; or, when
much incommoded by thei* examination, would hide
himself beneath any covering that was at hand. His
mildness was evinced by his forbearance under in-
juries, which were grievous before he was excited to
revenge ; but he always avoided those who often
teased him. He soon became strongly attached to
those who kindly used him. By their side he was
fond of sitting ; and, getting as close as possible to
their persons, would take their hands between his
lips, and fly to them for protection. From the boat-
swain of the Alceste, who shared his meals with him,
and was his chief favourite, although he sometimes
purloined the grog and the biscuit of his benefactor, he
learned to eat with a spoon ; and might be often seen
sitting at his cabin-door enjoying his coffee, quite
unembarrassed by those who observed him, and with
a grotesque and sober air that seemed a burlesque on
human nature.

" Next to the boatswain, I was perhaps his most in-
timate acquaintance. He would always follow me to the
mast-head, whither I often went for the sake of read-
ing apart from the noise of the ship ; and having satis-
fied himself that my pockets contained no eatables,
would lie down by my side, and pulling a topsail
entirely over him, peep from it occasionally to watch
my movements.

u His favourite amusement in Java was in swing-

THE BED OR ASIATIC ORANG-OUTANG. 121

ing from the branches of trees, in passing from one
tree to another, and in climbing over the roofs of
houses ; on board, in hanging by his arms from the
ropes, and in romping with the boys of the ship.
He would entice them into play by striking them
with his hand as they passed, and bounding from them,
but allowing them to overtake him and engage in a
mock scuffle, in which he used his hands, feet, and
mouth. If any conjecture could be formed from these
frolics of his mode of attacking an adversary, it would
appear to be his first object to throw him down, then
to secure him with his hands and feet, and then wound
him with his teeth,

" Of some small monkeys on board from Java he
took little notice, whilst under the observation of the
persons in the ship. Once, indeed, he openly attempted
to throw a small cage containing three of them over-
board ; because, probably, he had seen them receive
food of which he could obtain no part. But although
he held so little intercourse with them under our in-
spection, I had reason to suspect that he was less
indifferent to their society when free from our obser-
vation, and was one day summoned to the top-gallant
yard of the mizen-mast to overlook him playing with
a young male monkey. Lying on his back, partially
covered with the sail, he for some time contemplated,
with great gravity, the gambols of the monkey which
bounded over him, but at length caught him by the

122 THE NATURAL HISTORY OP

tail, and tried to envelope him in his covering. The
monkey seemed to dislike the confinement, and broke
from him, but again renewed its gambols, and although
frequently caught, always escaped. The intercourse,
however, did not seem to be that of equals, for the
orang-outang never condescended to romp with the
monkey as he did with the boys of the ship. Yet the
monkeys had evidently a great predilection for his
company; for whenever they broke loose, they took
their way to his resting-place, and were often seen
lurking about it, or creeping clandestinely towards
him. There appeared to be no gradation in their in-
timacy ; as they appeared as confidently familiar with
him when first observed as at the close of their
acquaintance.

ff But although so gentle when not exceedingly
irritated, the orang-outang could be excited to violent
rage, which he expressed by opening his mouth, showing
his teeth, seizing and biting those who were near him.
Sometimes, indeed, he seemed to.be almost driven to
desperation ; and on two or three occasions committed
an act which, in a rational being, would have been
called the threatening of suicide. If repeatedly re-
fused an orange when he attempted to take it, he
would shriek violently and swing furiously about the
ropes ; then return and endeavour to obtain it ; if
again refused, he would roll for some time like an
angry child upon the deck, uttering the most piercing

THE BED OB ASIATIC OEANG-OTJTAyG. 123

screams ; and then suddenly starting up, rush furiously
over the side of the ship, and disappear. On first
witnessing this act, we thought that he had thrown
himself into the sea; but, on a search being made,
found him concealed under the chains.

cc I have seen him exhibit violent alarm on two
occasions only, when he appeared to seek for safety
in gaining as high an elevation as possible. On see-
ing eight large turtle brought on board, whilst theCsesar
was off the Island of Ascension, he climbed with all
possfble speed to a higher part of the ship than he had
ever before reached ; and looking down upon them x
projected his long lips into the form of a hog's snout,
uttering at the same time a sound which might be
described as between the croaking of a frog and the
grunting of a pig. After some time he ventured to
descend, but with great caution, peeping continually at
the turtle, but could not be induced to approach within
many yards -of them. He ran to the same height,
and uttered the same sounds, on seeing some men
bathing and splashing in the sea ; and since his arrival
in England, has shown nearly the same degree of fear
at the sight of a live tortoise.

" Such were the actions of this animal as far as
they fell under Captain Methuen's notice during his
voyage from Java. I cannot find, since his arrival in
England, that he has learnt to perform more than
two feats which he did not practise on board ship,
although his education has been by no means neglected.

124 THE NATUBAL HISTORY OF

One of these is to walk upright, or rather on his feet,
unsupported by his hands ; the other to kiss his
keeper. I have before remarked with how much
difficulty he accomplishes the first, and may add, that
a well-trained dancing-dog would far surpass him in
the imitation of the human posture/'

The next specimen of which we have an accurate
account, was one brought as a present to the Empress
Josephine from the Isle of Fiance. It is described by
Fred. Cuvier, and, like all the others, died a short time
after it reached Europe. When first brought on board, it
showed the same caution with Dr Abel's orang ; would
not mount aloft until it had seen M. Decaen, by whom
it was brought up, do so and during its life the same
attachment to its owner, and annoyance in his absence,
appeared. In eating or drinking, it would occasionally
use its hands to convey the food or vessel to its lips,
but would as often apply the lips to the food, and
when drinking would lengthen them out a powei
which it possessed in an extraordinary degree.

A spoon was sometimes given to it, with which in
imitation it would attempt to lift the food ; but when
that could not be accomplished, the spoon would be
eignificantly handed to the nearest person with whom
it was acquainted. In the whole of its actions, the
resemblance to Dr Abel's animal was so near, that a
detail would be nearly a recapitulation. We refer,
therefore, to the paper itself in the 15th volume of the
Annales du Museum d'Histoire Naturelle. One cir-

THE BED OB ASIATIC OBANG-OTJTANG. 125

cumstance may be mentioned, of a singular attachment
the animal took for two kittens. These it would carry
under each arm to their great annoyance ; it seemed to
have pleasure also in placing them upon its head, but
in this position the claws became troublesome from
their restlessness, and were sometimes attempted to
be pulled out. This could not be accomplished, but
so much pleasure seemed to be experienced by the
position, that the inconvenience of their scratches was
afterwards unheeded.

The capture of an adult specimen of this animal,
which we noticed at the commencement of our de-
scription, took place under the following circumstances,
and places the fact of its immense size and strength
beyond doubt ; we are indebted also for it to the
exertions of Dr Abel, who wrote an account of
the remains of the animal for the Asiatic Researches.*
It is so interesting that we insert it entire, and have
added some illustrations of the skull and teeth from
the plates accompanying that gentleman's narrative,
and casts of them, which are in the Museum of the
Royal Society of Edinburgh.

" A boat party under the command of Messrs Craygy-
man and Fish, officers of the brig Mary-Anne-Sophia,
having landed to procure water at a place called
Ramboom, near Touraman, on the north-west coast of
Sumatra, on a spot where there was much cultivated

* Asiatic Researches, vol. xv. p. 941.

126 THE NATURAL HISTOBY OP

ground and but few trees, discovered on one of them
a gigantic animal of the monkey tribe. On the ap-
proach of the party he came to the ground, and when
pursued sought refuge in another tree at some dis-
tance, exhibiting, as he moved, the appearance of a
tall man-like figure covered with shining brown hair,
walking erect with a waddling gait, but sometimes
accelerating his motion with his hands, and occasion-
ally impelling himself forward with the bough of a
tree. His motion on the ground was plainly not his
natural mode of progression, for even when assisted
by his hands or a stick, it was slow and vacillating ;
it was necessary to see him among trees, in order to
estimate his agility and strength. On being driven to
a small clump, he gained by one spring a very lofty
branch, and bounded from one branch to another with
the ease and alacrity of another monkey. Had the
country been covered with wood, it would have been
almost impossible to prevent his escape, as his modo
of travelling from one tree to another is described to
be as rapid as the progress of a swift horse. Even
amidst the few trees that were on the spot, his move-
ments were so quick that it was very difficult to
obtain a settled aim, and it was only by cutting down
one tree after another, that his pursuers, by confining
him within a very limited range, were enabled to
destroy him by several successive shots, some of which
penetrated his body and wounded his viscera. Having
received five balls, his exertions relaxed, and, reclining

THE BED OK ASIATIC OBANG-OUTASG. 127

exhausted on one of the branches of a tree, he vomited
a considerable quantity of blood. The ammunition
of the hunters being by. this time expended, they
were obliged to fell the tree in order to obtain him,
and did this in full confidence that his power was so
far gone that they could secure him without trouble ;
but were astonished, as the tree was falling, to see him
effect his retreat to another with apparently undu
minished vigour. In fact, they were obliged to cut
down all the trees before they could drive him to
combat his enemies on the ground, against whom he
still exhibited surprising strength and agility, although
he was at length overpowered by numbers, and de-
stroyed by the thrusts of spears, and the blows of stones
and other missiles. When nearly in a dying state,
he seized a spear made of a supple wood, which would
have withstood the strength of the stoutest man, and
shivered it in pieces; in the words of the narrator, he
broke it as if it had been a carrot. It is stated by
those who aided in his death, that the human-like
expression of his countenance, and piteous manner of
placing his hands over his wounds, distressed their
feelings, and almost made them question the nature
of the act they were committing. When dead, botb
natives and Europeans contemplated his figure wit!
amazement. His stature, at the least computation,
was upwards of six feet.

" By Captain Cornfoot, who furnished the details of
this animal to Dr Abel, he was said to be a full

128 THE NATURAL HISTOEY OF

head taller than any man on board, measuring seven
feet in what might be called his ordinary standing
posture, and eight feet when suspended for the purpose
of being skinned.

" It seems probable that the animal had travelled
from some distance to the place where he was found,
as his legs were covered with mud up to the knees,
and he was considered as great a prodigy by the
natives as by the Europeans. They had never before
met with an animal like him, although they lived
within two days' journey of one of the vast and
almost impenetrable forests of Sumatra. They seemed
to think that his appearance accounted for many
strange noises, resembling screams and shouts, and
various sounds, which they could neither attribute
to the roar of the tiger, nor to the voice of any other
beast with which they were familiar."

The following measurement was made by Dr Abel,
from the remains of the animal, which were deposited
in the Asiatic Society's Museum. " The skin of the
body of the animal, dried and shrivelled up as it is,
measures, in a straight line from the top of the shoul-
der to the part where the ancle has been removed,
five feet ten inches ; the perpendicular length of the
neck, as it is in the preparation, three inches and a
half; the length of the head, from the top of the fore-
head to the end of the chin, nine inches; and the
length of the skin still attached to the foot, from the
line of its separation from the kg, eight inches ; we

THE BED OB ASIATIC OBANG-OUTANG. J.29

thus obtain seven feet six inches and a half as the
approximate height of the animal."

A description of the remains of this gigantic animal
is also given by Dr Abel. " The face, with the
exception of the beard, is nearly bare, a few straggling
short downy hairs being alone scattered over it, and
is of a dark lead colour. The eyes are small in rela-
tion to those of man, and are about an inch apart ;
the eyelids well fringed with lashes. The ears are
one inch and a half in length, and barely an inch in
breadth, are closely applied to the head, and resemble
those of man, with the exception of wanting the lower
lobe. The nose is scarcely raised above the level of
the face, and is chiefly distinguished by two nostrils,
three-fourths of an inch in breadth, placed obliquely
side by side. The mouth projects considerably in a
mammillary form, and its opening is very large ; when
closed, the lips appear narrow, but are in reality half
an inch in thickness. The hair of the head is of a
reddish-brown, grows from behind forwards, and is
five inches in length. The beard is handsome, and
appears to have been curly in the animal's lifetime,
and approaches to a chestnut colour ; it is about three
inches long, springing very gracefully from the upper
lip near the angles of the mouth, in the form of mus-
taches ; when descending, it mixes with that of the
chin, the whole having a very wiry aspect ; the face
of the animal is much wrinkled." The length of
the face, from the commencement of the hair on the

130 THE NATURAL HISTORY OF

forehead to the setting on of the neck, was thirteeff
inches and a half, and the other parts in a like remark,
able proportion. The lower jaw with the teeth, is
given by Dr Abel of the natural size, and the figure
which we have copied on page 131 will give a better
idea of its magnitude than a detail of its mea-
surement. The annexed cut of the canine tooth
extracted, is taken from a cast in the Royal Society's

Museum in Edinburgh. We add also a delineation
of the upper teeth, from a plate by Dr Abel, which

are remarkable for the breadth of the centre cutting
teeth, and the narrowness of the lateral ones ; and in

THE RED OR ASIATIC ORANG-OUTANG. 131

132 THE NATURAL HISTOBY OF

both jaws, the great length and strength of the canine
teeth, will point out the variation from the characters 1
which are generally given to the genus from a young
animal, while they also show the resemblance to our
sketch, from F. Cuvier, of the dentition of the Pongo.*

" The palms of the hands are very long, and quite
naked from the wrists. Their backs, to the last joint
of the fingers, are covered with hair, which inclines a
little backwards ; all the fingers have nails, which are
strong, convex, and of a black colour ; the thumb
reaches to the first joint of the forefinger. The
length from the end of the middle finger to the wrist,
in a right line, was one foot ; the circumference over
the knuckles, eleven inches ; the length of the thumb
upon the palm, two inches and a half. The feet are
covered with long brown hair on the back, to the last
joint of the toes, and the great toe is set on nearly at
right angles. The length of the foot, from the heel to
the end of the middle toes, one foot two inches ; the
circumference round the knuckles, nine inches and
three quarters ; length of the great toe, upon lower
surface, two inches and three quarters.t

" The skin itself was of a dark leaden colour. The
hair of a brownish red; but when observed at some

* See page 108.

}- Reduced plates are given of the hands and feet by Dr Abel,
in the Asiatic Researches, and two plates of the full size have been
introduced into James Wilson's Illustrations of Zoology, taken
from casts in the Museum of the Royal Society.

THE EED OE ASIATIC ORAKG-OUTANQ. 133

distance, has a dull, and, in some places, an almost
black appearance. It is on all parts very long ; on the
fore-arm directed upwards, and on the upper arm down-
wards, but from its length, it hangs shaggy below; from
the shoulders it hangs in large and massy tufts, which,
in continuation with the long hair on the back, seems
to form one long mass to the very centre of the body.
About the flanks the hair is equally long, and in the
living animal must have descended below the thighs."

From the preceding details of the young red orang,
and this gigantic Sumatran animal, the description of
this singular creature may be considered as having
attained a considerable degree of perfection. It would
be, however, of much importance, that a specimen
having attained its maturity, could be procured and
brought alive to this country, that an. opportunity
might be afforded of studying the disposition and
temper. The general impression at present is, that
the docility and gentleness of the young becomes
changed into ungovernable ferocity, and that the
propensities of an animal become more and more
developed by age. How far this corresponds with the
recession of the foreheads of the adult skulls, it would
be interesting to trace ; and we can only hope that
the perseverance of some enterprising traveller will
erelong enable us to judge of these singular structures.

We have only now to notice the illustrations we have
added to this already long article. They were fortu-
nately procured by the assistance of a clever draughts-

134t THE NATURAL HISTOET OP

man, and are acknowledged to be correct represent,
ations. The animal from which they were taken was
exhibited in Edinburgh by Mr Cops, in August last,
and our acknowledgements are due to that gentleman
for permitting the drawings to be made, and for his
polite attention in pointing out its peculiarities.

The general actions of this specimen also correspond-
ed with those above described ; his manner of progres-
sion was always assisted by the arms, resting his
knuckles on the floor of the apartment, and thus
having a resemblance to a person upon crutches.
After being brought into the room, he would seat, or
rather squat, himself on a sofa, and having judiciously
folded a blanket of flannel round him, would de-
liberately survey the visiters. A checked shirt was
frequently thrown over him, which he wore with
great complacency. One day a gentleman wearing
linen of a similar pattern appeared in the room, and
was immediately singled out, nor was the animal
satisfied until he was allowed to examine the shirt,
pulling it out from the breast, and holding it in compa-
rison with that which covered himself, expressively
looking up in the gentleman's face, as if doubtful of
his right to a garb which agreed so nearly with his
own.

His motions were calm and sedate, with a sem-
blance of timidity, and he did not exhibit that quick-
ness and activity we are used to attribute to the
quadrumanous animals. Two young boas were ex-

THE BED OB ASIATIC ORANG-OUTANG. 135

hibited in the room, which excited the greatest
horror when taken from their covering, and a watch
was incessantly kept up until they were again placed
under restraint. This was also remarked of the speci-
men brought to the Empress Josephine. In their
native wilds they are their most insidious enemy.

This animal was perfectly good-natured, and scarce-
ly ever showed any inclination to anger. When not
exhibited, he was allowed to go about the house, and was
generally to be found playing with the children of the
person with whom Mr Cops lodged, and they seemed
mutually pleased with each other. In colour and
proportions, he did not differ from those we have pre-
viously noticed.

The next form to which our attention is most
naturally directed, as entering the group of orangs, is
the Gibbons or long-armed apes, forming the genus
Hylobates* of Illiger. They may be generally cha-
racterised by having the same dentition, though some.

Hylobates, vxc/3Tff. Walking through woods. Illig.
Prod. 109.

136 THE NATUKAL HISTORY OF

what modified in form, with the African and Asiatic
orangs, and represented in the annexed cut of the
dentition of the H. leuciscus ; in being destitute of a
tail ; and peculiarly remarkable from the great length
of the anterior extremities, which reach the ground
when the animal is placed in an erect position. Their
height scarcely exceeds four feet, and they never 'pos-
sess that gigantic and powerful form, which is attain-
ed in a native state by the animals we have just
described. Their dispositions in a wild state, appear
shy and timid. They are in most instances grega-
rious, and in this respect resemble the howling mon-
keys of America, which is farther confirmed by the
presence, in some, of the large guttural sacks, and the
continued howling which betrays their haunts. Some
species are possessed of very great activity, and use
their long arms with almost as mueh effect as the
long and prepensile tail of the Sapajous. Some appear
again to be more sluggish in their habits, but are
possessed of an acute sense of sight and hearing, and
will seldom allow an intruder to approach so near as to
render their escape difficult or uncertain. When in
confinement they soon become reconciled and peaceful,
become attached to those who take charge of them,
but seem possessed of only a small portion of intuitive
intellect. They are all natives of India and her
islands, abounding in the forests, at a distance from
which they are very seldom found ; and, when occa-
sionally discovered straying, fall an easy prey, from

THE BED OE ASIATIC OBANG-OTJTANG. 137

their great timidity and awkwardness of progression
on a comparatively flat surface. The first we shall
mention, is a new species from the continent of
India.

THE HOOLOCK.

Hylobates hoolock. HARLAN.

PLATE III.

hoolock, Harlem, Transactions of the American Philo-
sophical Society, Volume iv. N. S. Page 52.

THIS curious species was first noticed by a well-
known American naturalist, and is figured in the
work above quoted ; it wants the callosities on the
hips, and from its nearer approach in proportions to the
orangs, would take precedence in our system of the
other Gibbons.

It is a native of the Garrow Hills, in the vicinity of
Goalpara, in British India. The first description of
it is by Dr Harlan, taken from living specimens and
interesting letters which accompanied them, and de-
tailed what had been observed regarding them in a
wild state. A specimen has lately been added to the
Museum of Edinburgh, which has served for our illus-

133 THE NATURAL HISTOBT OF

tration, to which we have added the letters of Dr
Burrough to its American describes

It is strongly characterised as distinct from the
other long-armed orangs or Gibbons. In form, size,
and proportion, it is most closely allied to the female
of the active Gibbon, H. agilis of F. Cuvier ; but is
very different in colours and markings, especially the
young individuals of the two species, which differ
totally in these respects. The male and female re-
semble each other in the present species ; but the
sexes of the active Gibbon are different in size and,
colour.

The specimen in the Edinburgh Collection agrees
nearly with that described by Dr Ha/Ian .

The colour of the young, according to Dr Harlan ,
5s blackish brown, sprinkled with gray on the hands
and feet ; the buttocks are grayish ; a tuft of the same
colour extends along the middle of the front of the
body ; the band of gray over the eyes of the adult, is
generally interrupted in the middle of the forehead by
a line of black hairs, which is absent in the young
one ; the band is broader in the latter, in proportion of
seven-tenths to four-tenths. In this individual, about
half the size of the adult, a remarkable difference was
observed in the relative proportions of the arm and
fore-arm. In the young animal, the fore-arm is shorter
than the arm a fact at variance with the proportions
of those parts, not only in the orangs, but in all the
race of adult Simice. In the adult, the arm and &

THE HOOLOCK. 139

arm are within one inch two-tenths of being equal in
length.

The dentition of this species nearly agrees with that
of its congeners ; but is remarkable in the length of
the canine teeth.

We now add the interesting letter of Dr Boirrough
accompanying the specimens described by Dr Harlan.

" The specimens of the orang-outang or Gibbons,
furnished you, were obtained by me during my late
excursion into the interior of Bengal. They were pre-
sented to me by Captain Alexander Davidson, of the
Honourable East India Company, stationed at Goal-
para, situate on the Burrampooter river, in Assam.
This district of country was formerly attached to the
Burmese empire, but at present is in possession of the

140 THE NATTIBAL HISTOBT OF

East India Company, and constitutes the north-eastern
limits of their territory in this quarter.

"The orang, of which I am now to speak, called
by the Assamese f Hoolock/ is to be met with on the
Garrow Hills, in the vicinity of Goalpara, between
latitudes 25 and 28 north; and the specimens brought
to this country by me, were taken within a few miles
of the town of Goalpara. The full grown one, which
at this time you have prepared, was in my possession,
alive, from the month of January to May, when it
died from a blow it received across the lumbar region,
inadvertently inflicted with a small stick by one of
my servants at Calcutta. They inhabit more particu-
larly the lower hills, not being able to endure the cold
of those ranges of the Garrows of more than 4 or 500
feet elevation. Their food, in the wild state, consists,
for the most part, of fruits common only to the jungle
in this district of country ; and they are particularly
fond of the seeds and fruits of that sacred tree of India,
called the Peopul-tree, and which, on the Garrow
Hills, attains a very large size. They likewise take
of some species of grass, and also the tender twigs and
leaves of the Peopul and other trees, which they chew,
swallow the juice thereof, and reject the indigestible
part. They are easily tamed ; and when first taken
show no disposition to bite unless provoked to anger,
and even then manifest a reluctance to defend them-
selves, preferring to retreat into some corner rather
than attack their enemy. Thei T walk erect; and,

THE HOOLOCK. I4

when placed upon a floor or in an open field, balance
themselves very prettily, by raising their hands over
their head, and slightly bending their arm at the wrist
and elbow, and then run tolerably fast, rocking from
side to side ; and if urged to greater speed, they let
fall their hands to the ground, and assist themselves
forward, rather jumping than running, still keeping
the body, however, nearly erect ; if they succeed in
making their way to a grove of trees, they then swing
with such astonishing rapidity from branch to branch,
and from tree to tree, that they are soon lost in the
jungle or forest.

" The individual in question became so tame and
manageable in less than a month, that he would take
hold of my hand and walk with me, helping himself
along at the same time with the other hand applied to
the ground, as described above. He would come at
my call, and seat himself in a chair by my side at the
breakfast-table, and help himself to an egg, or the
wing of a chicken from my plate, without endangering
any of my table furniture. He would partake of
coffee, chocolate, milk, tea, &c. ; and although his
usual mode of taking liquids was by dipping his
knuckles into the cup and licking his fingers, still,
when apparently more thirsty, he would take up the
vessel from which I fed him with both hands, and
drink like a man from a spring. His principal food
consisted of boiled rice, boiled bread and milk, with
sugar, plantains, bananas, oranges, &c., all of which

142 THE NATURAL HISTOEY OF

he ate, but seemed best pleased with bananas. He
was fond of insects ; would search in the crevices of
my house for spiders, and if a fly chanced to come in
his reach, he would dexterously catch him in one hand,
generally using his right hand. Like many of the
different religious castes of this country, he seemed to
entertain an antipathy to an indiscriminate use of
animal food, and would not eat of either the flesh of
the cow or hog ; would sometimes taste a little piece
of beef, but never eat of it. I have seen him take
fried fish, which he seemed to relish better than almost
any other description of animal food, with the excep-
tion of chicken, and even this he would eat but very
sparingly of, preferring his common diet, bread and
milk, with sugar, fruit, &c. In temper he was re-
markably pacific, and seemed, as I thought, often glad
to have an opportunity of testifying his affection and
attachment for me. When I visited him in the
morning, he would commence a loud and shrill whoo
whoo whoo whoo, which he would keep up often
from five to ten minutes, with an occasional intermis-
sion for the purpose of taking a full respiration ; until
finally, apparently quite exhausted, he would lie
down and allow me to comb his head, and brush the
long hair on his arms, and seem delighted with the
tickling sensation produced by the brush on his belly
and legs. He would turn from side to side, first hold
out one arm and then the other, and when I attempted
to go away, he would catch hold of my arm or coat-

TOE HOOLOCK. 143

tail, and pull me back again to renew my little atten-
tions to him, daily bestowed. If I called to him from
a distance, and he could recognise my voice, he would
at once set up his usual cry which he sometimes
gradually brought down to a kind of moan, but gene-
rally resumed his louder tone when I approached him,
This animal was a male, but showed no particular
marks of the sex; and by a casual glance, might
readily, if not examined more closely, have passed for
a female. I have no idea of his age; but, judging from
the size and length of his canine teeth, suppose him
to have been advanced in life.

" The other large f Hooloek/ of which you have
the cranium, was also a male, and full grown. He
was likewise obtained from the Garrow Hills, in
Assam, presented to me by my friend Captain A.
Davidson of Goalpara. He came into my possession
in the month of April, and died at sea in July, just
before getting up with the Cape of Good Hope, of a
catarrhal affection. His death probably might have
been hastened from want of proper food ; such as is not
procurable on long voyages. This animal was similar
in habit and general characters to the one already
described ; and may have been eight or ten years of
age, or perhaps older; as I am informed by the natives
of Assam they live to the age of twenty-five or thirty
years.

" The young specimen was also alive in my posses-
sion. This is a female, and was brought to me by a

THE NATURAL HISTORY OF

Garrow Indian at the same time the first was received ;
but died on the way from Goalpara to Calcutta, of a
pulmonary disease following catarrh. This poor little
creature, when first taken sick, suffered great pain and
oppression at the chest, for which I prescribed a cath,
artic of castor oil and calomel, and a warm bath, which
seemed to afford it some temporary relief, but she died
after ten days' illness. The animal appeared delighted
with the bath ; and when I removed her from the
vessel, she would run back again to the water, and lie
down again until again removed. She was like the
others I had in my possession, gentle and pacific in
disposition, very timid and shy of strangers ; but in
less than a week from the time she was taken, would,
if put down in an open place, quickly run to me, jump
in my arms, and hug me round the neck. I supposed
her to have been from nine months to a year old. I
fed her on boiled milk, goat's milk diluted with water
and sweetened with sugar-candy. She also would
sometimes partake of a little bread and milk, with
the older one. She soon learned to suck the milk
from a small bottle, through a quill covered with a
piece of rag/'

We shall next describe a very singular species from
the East Indian Islands.

THE

145

THE SIAMANG.

Hylolates syndactyla. RAFFLES.
PLATE IV.

Siir.ia syndactyla, the Siamang, Sir Stamford Raffles., Trans-
actions of Linncean Society, vol. xiii. page 241 ; Horsfitid,
Zoological Researches in Java. Le Siamang, Frederic.
Cnvier, Histoire Naturelle des Mammiferes.LQ Siamang,
Cuuier, Regne Animal^ vol. i. page 90.

THE Siamang, by some naturalists, has been sepa-
rated from the other long-armed apes on account of the
curious formation of the feet. They have the first,
and second toes closely united, as far as the middle
of the second phalanx.

T46 THE NATURAL HISTORY Of

It was discovered by Sir Stamford Raffles in Sumatra,
and is particularly abundant in the vicinity of Bencoolen.
It is about three feet in height, and is entirely of a jet
black colour, with a few scattered grayish hairs on the
cheeks and chin. The hair upon the body is shining,
long, soft, and thick. The face is black, the muzzle
short, and the facial angle from 60 to 65. The nose
is flat and depressed above, but rises below abruptly,
with a cartilaginous eminence, in which the large,
nearly circular nostrils, are pierced from the sides in
an oblique direction ; at its extremity this eminence
is obtuse, and united to the upper lip by a narrow
gradually attenuated apex, which, forming a cartila-
ginous arch, gives a peculiar character to the Siamang.
The orbital margin is very prominent ; and the frontal
bone rises above the eyes obliquely, with a very gra-
dual inclination backward. This part is covered with
hairs, which have a different character from those on
other parts of the body ; they are regular and straight,
and, being closely applied to the surface of the head,
form a gradually rising plain, on which the hair ap-
pears as if dressed or rendered smooth by art. The
ears are closely applied to the head, are margined,
and have externally the same structure as in man.
They are in a great measure concealed by the hairy
covering of the lateral parts of the head, which, with
that of the extremities, affords a very peculiar cha-
racter, and its thickness considerably increases the
bulk of these parts. It consists of hairs close and

THE SIAMAffG. 147

woolly near the skin, united in small tufts, which
diverge irregularly, and form a shaggy fleece. The
separate hairs are above two inches long, and on every
part except the head are slightly curved, so as to
cause a somewhat frizzled appearance. The mouth
is large, extending almost from cheek to cheek. The
throat appears very broad, and has the outward ap-
pearance of a swoln goitre destitute of hair ; this is the
large guttural sack, which has been thought to assist
the production of the wild continued howling of some
monkeys, and which appears inflated when the ani-
mal cries. In the females the breast is destitute of
hair ; but the species appears to be subject to little
of the variation incident to so many of this tribe from
age or sex. The fingers of the hands are very slender,
and of uncommon length ; and the formation of the
feet, as we have previously mentioned, is the most
remarkable variation from the other Gibbons.*

The active time of the Siamang is at daybreak and
twilight, when they are found assembled in large
bands, and make the forests resound with their howl,
in a manner concerted, which is often heard at an
immense distance. During the day they remain
quiet and inactive, and utter no cries unless disturbed.
By the Malays they are supposed to be conducted by
a head or chief, which is always the strongest, and
which is also supposed to be invulnerable. He is

* We are indebted to Dr Horsfield's Researches in Java foi
much of this information.

H& THE NATURAL HISTORY OF

thought to direct their motions and to preside at
their morning and evening howlings. In their general
habits they are said to be more sluggish and inactive
than some which we shall presently describe; and
they neither swing from the branches, or leap with
that surprising agility, which characterise some of
the others. They seem, however, sensible of their
imperfections ; and being endowed with an acute
sense of hearing, fly to their retreats upon the least
noise which is not familiar to them. If any members
of .a band are wounded, they are immediately left be-
hind ; a mother only will remain with the young one
if hurt, and will allow herself to be taken rather than
fly alone. MM. Diard and Duvancel relate, that this
maternal affection is at all times remarkably strong,
and not exercised only in a time of danger. The
young are tended with the greatest care ; and these
gentlemen mention having seen the females carry their
young to the banks of a stream, wash them not with,
standing their cries, and wipe and dry them in the
most careful manner.

These gentlemen also describe their habits when
confined, as characterised by stupidity, dulness, and
inactivity, in a few days becoming mild, and deprived
of all ferocity, but always timid, and without that
familiarity and impudence which so many of this
tribe very soon acquire ; nor does either good or bad
treatment seem to have much effect on their disposi-
tions. The most common position is sitting squatted.

THE SIAMANG.

Biirrounded by their long arms, and having the head
concealed between their limbs. Dr Horsfield mentions,
on the contrary, that a Siamang in the possession of
Sir Stamford Raffles, was remarkably tame and tract-
able, and was never happy but when allowed to be in
company with some one ; and another described by
Mr George Bennet, from observations made during a
voyage from India to this country, snowed a lively
affection towards himself and those who behaved
kindly to it.* Sir Stamford Raffles mentions having
seen a specimen entirely white.

The other animals contained in this group nave
naked callosities on the buttocks, like the baboons,
and in their dispositions are more active. One of the
first known, though till lately involved in obscurity,
is the Simla, lar of Linnaeus; the long-armed ape
of Pennant. This was thought to be subject to a varia-
tion in the colour of the wrists and hands to white ;
but the distinction has turned out to be that of
different species, and for that with white hands M.
Geoifroy Saint Hilaire has retained the old name of
lar, while the totally black species has been dedica-
ted by the same gentleman to Sir Stamford Raffles,
under the name ofHylobates Rafflesii. Another ani-
mal allied to these, and generally described as a variety
under the title of Lesser Gibbon, seems yet to be held

* See that gentleman's interesting description in Loudoa'a
Magazine of Natural History, vol. v. p, 131.

150 THE NATUEAL HISTOEY OP

as a subject for doubt by our most modern zoologists ;
it is much less in size, and has generally been pro-
cured from Malacca. There is a sixth species, some-
what allied except hi colour, which, by older writers,
was also confounded with the long-armed gibbon ; it is
the Moloch or Wow- wow, the Hylobates leuciscits of
moderns. It inhabits the Moluccas, is entirely of a
grayish white, except the face, which is black, but
does not differ in general habit from its congeners.

The only remaining animal we have to mention, as
embraced in this group, is also known under the name
of Wow-wow, but which is indiscriminately applied
by the natives of the Indian islands to several species
though they are distinguished from one another by
additional names. It is remarkably contrasted from
the others by its more pleasing shades of colouring
and surprising agility. We give a plate of the female
and young of

HYLOBATES AGILIS.Female.
f The Active Gibbon. I

THE ACTIVE GIBBON.
Hykbates agitis. F. CUVIER.

PiATB V.

Le Wow-wow, Frederic Cuvier, ffistoire Naturelle det
Mammiferes. Hylobates agilis, the Active Gibbon, Griffith,
Animal Kingdom, vol. v. Le Gibbon Brun, Cuvier, Regne
Animal^ vol. L p. 90.

THIS very active animal inhabits the forests of
Sumatra, where it is known under the name of
Ungaputi. It appears to have been first noticed by Sir
Stamford Raffles, to whom specimens were brought by
MM. Diard and Duvancel, who were for many years
in the pay and employment of this most assiduous
naturalist. These gentlemen also sent specimens to
the Paris Collections, which served as copies for Fre-
deric Cuvier, in his great and elegant work upon the
( Mammalise, and which we have freely used in the
progress of our present little volume. M. Duvancel
also sent to Paris descriptions, which were used for
the above-mentioned work, and which are now
.united with what information we have been able to
procure elsewhere.

152 THE NATURAL HISTORY OF

The face is naked, and of a bluish-black. In the
male, the cheeks and a superciliary band are of a
yellowish-white, beautifully contrasting with the clear
chocolate-brown of the upper half of the body ; these
marks are wanting in the female represented on
our plate. The lower extremities are of the same dark
colour, and the lower part of the back, and fore part
of the thighs, are of a yellowish-brown. The shade of
the colour, of both the dark and light parts, however,
vary considerably according to age, and the light parts
above, sometimes occupy a greater or lesser space. The
hair in healthy animals is clear and fine, except upon
the neck, where it becomes lengthened, and some-
what woolly or curled. The young are always
much paler in colour than the adults, or those at an
advanced age, and the very young animals are of a
uniform yellowish- white. The general height scarcely
exceeds two feet seven or eight inches, and the arms
reach the ground when the animal stands erect.

They are endowed with surprising agility,, and
their light form and slender-looking extremities
hardly give an idea of the great muscularity which
they must possess. If the extreme tree on the borders
of a forest can be reached by them, it will be in vain
to pursue farther; they swing, leap, and, as it were,
throw themselves from one tree to another, clearing
at times a space of forty feet, with a rapidity
which defies any pedestrian pursuer. When a
slender branch can be grasped, the body is swungr

THE ACTIVE GIBBOff. 153

several times,, until aurftcient impetus is gaineu, and
they then dart off with the utmost apparent ease and
grace.

In a state of domestication, they are not so lively as
many other monkeys, though susceptible of some cul-
tivation; they are easily frightened, and as easily
again reassured, fond of .?eing caressed, inquisitive and
familiar, and sometimes playful. In the internal
anatomy, they differ from the preceding species in
the absence of the guttural sack ; nevertheless, the
cry is nearly similar, which must show that this
formation is not necessary to produce the howl of this
and some other monkeys, or that soms ^ther structure
mast fill up the deficiency.

We have now mentioned all the known species of
long-armed apes or Gibbons, and there are two forms
which by most zoologists have been placed immediately
following them, of which we have been unable to see
specimens. We shall therefore shortly notice them
from the works of highest reputation, before proceed-
ing to the Guenons or long-tailed monkeys of the
Old World. The first has been characterised by Esch-
sholtz, under the name of Prebytis;* possesses no
cheek-pouches ; has naked callosities ; the arms reach
to the knees, and the tail is of considerable length.
The facial angle 60. Only one species has been
discovered in Sumatra, P. mitrula, or capped mon-

* IIpg-&, an old woman. So called from the resemblance of
an old woman with a cap.

154 THE NATURAL HISTOET OP

key ; of small size, above of a bluish-green, beneath
grayish-white.

The second is named Colobus by Illiger,* remark-
able for having only four fingers upon the upper ex-
tremities, and in this respect representing Ateles^ of
the New World, to which it also comes near in the
shortness of the muzzle, and comparative shortness of
the face. In other respects it resembles the Guenons.

Three species are described. They are natives of
Africa, but little is known of their habits or locality.

The type of this genus may be seen in the Simia
pdycomoSy Schreber, the full-bottomed monkey of
Pennant, black, with longer hair covering the neck,
in the form of a mane. It inhabits the forests of
Guinea and Sierra Leone. The next is the bay
monkey, Colobus ferruginosus, which has been
thought by some to be merely a variety of the pre-
ceding ; and the third \v, an unfigured species, dedi-
e$ted by M. Kuhl to M. Temminct (Colobus Tern.
^inckii, Kuhl.) It formed part ol the collection of
Mr Bullock, and, at the dispersion of that valuable
museum, passed to that of Temminck. The upper
parts of the head, ne<'k, back, and shoulders, black, the
limbs clear reddish, and the under parts having a tinge
of tawny yellow. The native country unknown.

It may be remarked that this genus is placed by
I3iger after the Cynocephali, and next that of Ateles,

* KoXe/So* , maimed, imperfect
f- Arffcnf, imperfect.

THE GCENOKS. 155

with which the monkeys of the New World are com.
menced.

THE GUENONS.

Following for our guidance the arrangement of the
quadrumanous animals proposed by Cuvier, whose ex-
tensive experience and varied research, entitle him to
every confidence, we shall proceed next with his
brother's sub-family of the Guenons, or long-tailed
monkeys of the Old World. Most zoologists place
them after the orangs and gibbons, and reach the ba-
boons by those species where the muzzle becomes
more lengthened, (Cercocebus sabeus, &c.,) by the
Rhesus monkey* and Barbary ape, and thus reach the
Cynocephalij which have the largest facial angle, the
nostrils placed at the extremity of the muzzle, possess
a less degree of intelligence, and have dispositions akin
to the fiercest and most brutal. With these they con-
clude the forms of the Old World.

The large assortment of animals which have been
placed in this group, may be termed the most agree-
able of the " monkey race." They embrace con-
siderable variety of shape and size, but often exhibit
furs of the greatest brightness and beauty, with forms
at once light and graceful ; while their dispositions are
in general mild, peaceful, and affectionate, or, if occsw

* 3ec vignette titlepage.

THE NATURAL HISTOEY OF

K-mally riotous, are confined to displays of playfulness
and mischief, and are entirely free from the fierce
and malignant tempers displayed in a greater or less
degree among all the baboons. When taken at an early
age they are readily tamed, and become playful and
familiar; they are extremely agile, though generally
calm and circumspect in their motions, and learn
a variety of tricks, which they perform with much
cunning and address. In a wild state they are gre-
garious, and, bird-like, inhabit the rich forests of Africa
and Asia.

The divisions which Frederic Cuvier has proposed,
are entitled by him Semnopitheques and Guenons.
The former he places next to the Gibbons, which
some of the species so much resemble in different
parts of the skeleton, as to be with difficulty recog-
nised, and designates them Semnopithecus, from the
grave and serious character of the animals contained in
it. But before proceeding with these, we shall describe
two monkeys, which, though generally admitted into
the Guenon group, are so imperfectly known as to
render any classification, however near we may come
in our analogical reasonings, to be uncertain. The
first of these is

NASALIS LARVATUS.
I The Kaliau or Proboscis Monkey, i

UNIVERSITY )

THE KAHAtT OB PEOBOSCIS MONKEY. 157

THE KAHAU OR PROBOSCIS MONKEY.

Ifasalis larvatus. GEOFFROY.

PLATE VI.

Proboscis Monkey, Pennant's Quadrupeds, append, p. 322. _

Le Kahau, Audibert, Histoire Naturette des Singes Nasalis

larvatus, Geoffroy Saint Hilaire, Annales du Museum, vol.
xix. p. 91 . Guenon nasique, Desmarefs Mammalogie, p. 55.

THIS singular monkey is at once distinguished
by the extraordinary elongation of the nose, which
is nearly four inches in length, and gives a grotesque
appearance to the animal, at the same time far
*rom pleasing. In other respects it presents a form of
considerable interest to the zoologist ; the body is un-
shapely, protruding in front like the Orangs, and wants
the lightness possessed by so many of the Guenons.
The arms are of very considerable proportional length,
like the Gibbons ; and, like the howling monkeys, it
possesses a large guttural sack while the presence
of a lengthened tail, and of naked callosities, present
altogether a very curious combination.

The kahau is about three feet in height when
placed in an erect position, and, with the exception

158

THE NATUBAL HISTOET OP

of the tail and lower part of the back, is of a reddish,
brown colour. The female is said, by Audibert, to
want the light-coloured markings on the back, and to
be rather less in size; the nose and face are of a
blackish-brown colour, the nostrils are placed at
the extremity, and they can be blown up or swelled

Nose seen from beneath, from Audibert.

to a considerable size. Messrs Vigors and Horsfield
have given the profile of another monkey, brought
from the Island of Borneo, in which the nose is
scarcely one-third of the length, and is somewhat
turned up.* They suspect that this is the young of
the proboscis monkey, which, if correct, will show
that the elongation is much dependent upon the age

Zoological Journal, No, XIII. p. 110.

THE KAHAU OE PBOBOSCIS MONKEY. 159

of the individuals ; wmie, siiotttCl farthei txanimatioR
prove that it is really distinct, they propose to designate
it as a second species, under the title of N. recurvus,
or turned-up proboscis monkey.

The kahau is a native of the Island of Borneo, and
is still rare in collections. It is-'a gregarious animal,
and is said to assemble in large troops, at sunrise and
sunset, upon the trees bordering rivers. They are
possessed of great activity, and dart from tree to tree,
springing to a distance of fifteen or twenty feet. They
utter continued cries, somewhat similar to the expres-
sion of the common name which has been applied to
them.

Our plate is taken from that of Audibert.

The other animal we alluded to, which appears to
possess all the characteristics of the first division of
the Gwnons, is,

160 THE NATURAL HISTOBY OF

THE DOUG OR COCHIN-CHINA MONKEY.
Lasiopyga* nemea. ILLIGEB.
PLATE VII.

Simla nemaeug, Linn&us. Pygathrix nemaeus, Geoffroy Saint
ffilaire, Annales du Museum, vol. xix. p. 90. Le, Douc,
Audibert, Histoire Naturelle des Singes. Guenon Douo,
Desmarets'* Mammalogie, p. 54.

THIS singularly but beautifully marked species has
been the subject of discussion among many naturalists,
and its great rarity prevents, even to the present
period, a satisfactory examination of its form and
structure ; by some it is placed at the commencement
of this division, while by others it is stationed at the
conclusion, to be followed by the lesser baboons. Illiger
gives the characters of his genus, so as, in fact, to include
some of the latter, but by Geoifroy it is placed as the
solitary representative of his genus above mentioned.
It is a native of Cochin-China, and as very few spe-
cimens have yet reached Europe, little or nothing
i$ Known regarding it. The height is about two feet*

* Lasiopyga Aa<ro$, hairy ; *vyt, buttock*, posteriors.

LAS10PYGA NEMEA.
f TlieDouc or Cochin China Monkey.)

THE SEMtfOPITHECI. 1G1

and a reference to the annexed plate will best explain
the varied colours of the fur. It is engraved from that
of Audibert, taken from a specimen in the Paris
Museum. Its principal characteristics are the great
proportional length of the upper extremities, and the
absance of callosities on the hips.

Having mentioned these two singular animals, we
shall proceed with the first division of the Guenon
group, the Semnopitheci. The most striking external
characters are the flatness of the face; small cheek
pouches ; the length of the body, and slenderness of
the extremities ; the great length of the tail, and the
little bare space upon the hips ; while the system of
dentition presents a marked difference from the next
form included in the group. Annexed is a view of
the dentition of S. maurus, from Frederic Cuvier's

work, but which exhibits the canine teeth of less eize

1G2 THE XATUEAL HISTOET OF

than the specimen figured by Dr Horsfield. T'ie
canine tooth is there exhibited, standing nearly one-

half longer than the others, and grooved on the inner
surface. The chief difference in the molar teeth is in
the posterior grinder of the lower jaw having distinctly

five points, which distinguishes it from Cercopithecus,
and which will be better understood by comparing
the cuts now introduced with those accompanying
the true Guenons.

Dr Horsfield had taken the Negro monkey as the
type of this form, whereas F. Cuvier selects another
animal as more characteristic ; and we are the more
inclined to follow this arrangement, as the Doctor him-
self observes that S. maurus is more robust in make
than its congeners, and the slender proportions are one
of the first characters which strike the attention. The
animal we allude to is,

SEMNOPITHECTJS MKLALOPHAS.

(The Shnpia.)

THE SIMPAI. 163

THE SIMPAI.

Semnopithecus melalophos. F. CUVIER.
PLATE VIII.

Simpai of Javanese; -Simi a melalophos, Sir Stamford Raffles,
Transactions Linncean Society, vol. xiii. ; Frederic Cuvier,
Histoire Naturelle des Mammiferes.

THIS monkey, a native of Java and Sumatra, was
,first noticed by Sir Stamford Raffles, and afterwards
figured and described by F. Cuvier, from specimens
procured from the same sources.

According to the latter naturalist, the flatness of
the face is very remarkable ; and if the facial angle
and size of the brow can be depended on as charac-
teristics of intelligence, that of this animal ought to
be capable of greater developement than the orang-
outang. There are, however, few records of its habits
or dispositions; and we refer to the accompanying
plate tor an idea of the form and colours. The length
of the adult animal to the insertion of the tail, is about
me foot six inches ; the tail alone is between two and
three feet.

Another monkey very characteristic of this group is,

THE NATTTEAL HISTORY OF

THE ENTELLUS MONKEY.

Semnopithecus entettus. F. CUVIER.

PLATE IX.

Semnopithecus entellus, Frederic Cuvier, Histoire NatureJle
des Mammiferes ; Gardens and Menagerie of Zoological
Society, vol. i. p. 80. L'Entelle, Audibert, Histoire Natu-
relle des Singe*.

THE Entellus monkey, still of very rare occurrence
in the European collections, presents a very remarkable
form in its slender proportions, and the light colour of
its fur, contrasted with the black skin of the face
and extremities. It is a native generally of the
Indian archipelago and some parts of the continent ;
and, upon comparison of the relations of travellers, must
abound in many parts of these countries, where they
are venerated, or at least looked upon with a kind of
superstitious awe, which prevents the natives from
destroying them, and makes them often suffer from
their depredations. They seem particularly suscep-
tible of cold, which may account for their being seldom
seen in our British menageries. Specimens which
have been sent to Paris, and that in the Zoological

SEMNOl'ITECTf.S KUTZLLUS.

/ The EnteUiisMonk.

THE ENTELLUS MOXKEY, 1G5

Gardens, only survived a short period after then aimal
in Europe ; and one mentioned by Thunberg soon
died of cold in the comparatively warm climate of
the Cape of Good Hope.

The height of the Entellus described by F. Cuvier,
is about one foot five inches ; the length of the tail
about two feet. The description of the specimen
which died in the Zoological Gardens, by Mr Bennet,
is as follows ; and it may be remarked, that the only
variation which seems incident to them is a yellow or
redder tinge of the whitish fur.

" When taken at an early age they are readily
tamed, become playful and familiar, are extremely
agile, although generally calm and circumspect in
their motions, and learn to perform a variety of tricks,
which they execute with no little cunning and address.
After a time, however, their playfulness wears off;
their confidence is succeeded by mistrust ; their agility
settles down into a listless apathy; and, instead of
resorting as before to the resources of their ingenuity
for carrying any particular point, they have recourse
to the brute force which they have acquired in its
stead. At length they become as mischievous, and
sometimes even as dangerous, as any of those monkeys
which in their young state offer no such indications of
good temper and intelligence.

" It is of a uniform ashy-gray on the upper parts,
becoming darker on the tail, which is grayish-brown,
of equal thickness throughout, and terminated by a

166 THE ffATUKAL HISTOHT OP

few long hairs running out into a kind of point, but not
forming a tuft. The under surface of the body is of a
dingy yellowish-white ; and the fore-arms, hands, and
feet, are of a dusky black. The fingers of both extre-
mities are very long, and the thumbs comparatively
short. The face, which is black, with somewhat of a
violet tinge, is surmounted, above the eyebrows, by a
line of long stiff black hairs, which project forv^rds,
and slightly upwards. On the sides of the cheeks
and beneath the chin, it is margined by a beard of
grayish-white passing along the line of the jaws, and
extending upwards in front of the ears, which are large
and prominent, and of the same colour as the face. The
hairs of the fore part of the breast appear to diverge
from a common centre. The height of our specimen,
w^icn was not yet adult, when in a sitting posture
exceeded two feet ; and his tail, which he rarely dis-
played at its full length, but more usually kept curled
up in a single coil, measured nearly three."

The foregoing details will point out the characters
oi- this group. Three other species are introduced into
Desmarets' work, and in Griffith's Synopsis, under
the names of S. comatus, somewhat allied to that now
described, S. pruinores, approaching to the Semno-
pithecus maurus of Dr Horsfield, which we shall now
notice.

The Negro monkey, like its congeners, is a native
of Java and Sumatra. The length of the body is
about two feet three inches, that of the tail nearly

THE NEGRO MONKEY, 167

the same, and the form and proportions are more
robust than in those we have mentioned for our type.
From the want of a figure of this curious animal, Dr
Ilorsfield's minute description may not be unaccept-
able.

" The covering of the Negro monkey, in adult sub-
jects, is intensely black on every part, except the breast,
the abdomen, the inner side of the extremities, and the
root of the tail ; these parts are gray. On the crown
of the head, the black hairs are slightly tipped with
gray ; and as age advances, the gray portion becomes
more extensive, and also shows itself on the upper
parts of the body, but the extremities exteriorly, and
the tail, even in the oldest subjects, retain their black-
ness. The hairs are remarkably long, delicate, soft
and silky. On the sides of the head, they are disposed
backwards with a slight inclination outward, and they
completely conceal the ears. They rise with a gradual
slope on the forehead, but on the crown of the head
they are suddenly deflected, so as to form a dependent
crest. On the back, and on the extremities, the^
lie smooth and close. They are greatly elongate* ; -
on the sides of the body, between the shoulders, so a ;
to hang down to a considerable length when the
animal walks on all foi*rs. On the breast anteriorly,
and on the abdomen, they are short, lax, and strag,

" In its young state it exhibits a great contrast to
that in the adult. Immediately after birth, our ani.

168 THE NATURAL HISTORY OF

mal has a fulvous or reddish-yellow colour; as it
advances in age, the colour gradually changes. A
gray discoloration first shows itself on the hands,
the forehead, and the tip of the tail ; from these parts
it gradually extends to the neck, the shoulders, and
the flanks, and assumes from time to time a darker
hue, until the coat of the animal is jet black above,
and gray underneath.

" The face is regularly circumscribed by hairs,
"which are long, and closely applied to the head ;
the forehead, which is gradually sloping, is entirely
concealed by them. The orbits of the eye are rather
prominent ; and the bones of the nose short. The
nose consists of an angular ridge, which is con-
siderably elevated between the eyes, and terminates
without any fleshy protuberance, by a membrane
which is gradually attenuated below, and on each
side of which the nostrils are placed. These are large,
oblong, slightly curved, and pass backward into the
cranium in a horizontal direction. From the termi-
nation of the nose to the mouth a considerable space
intervenes ; but the lips are small and thin, so as to
exhibit, when slightly retracted, the interior of the
mouth. The chin is short and small ; a circle of
gray hairs encloses the mouth in the adult animal ;
and on the chin the hairs have a disposition down-
ward, so as to exhibit the appearance of a beard. The
upper part of the face is nearly naked ; a few strag-
gling stiff hairs are scattered on the cheeks and the

THE NEGBO MONKEY. 109

tipper lip, and on the more prominent part of the nose
an interrupted series is observed. The irides of the
eyes are of a dark brown colour. The ears are con-
cealed from view by the long hairs which cover the
lateral parts of the head; they are margined, and
both in form and disposition of external parts closely
resemble these organs in man. The neck is short, and
considerably contracted. The trunk is of great length,
broad and robust about the shoulders and the breast,
and gradually of smaller dimensions towards the loins.
The buttocks are marked with very large rough cal-
losities. The mammse, in the adult female, are
lengthened and cylindrical. The tail is as long as the
body and head taken together; in some individuals,
and particularly in young subjects, it exceeds these
parts in length ; it is cylindrical during the greater
part of its length ; the base is gradually tapering,
and the tip is thickened, and terminated by a close
tuft of long hairs of an ovate form,

t( The Semnopithecus maurus is distinguished among
the Javanese by the name of Budeng, from another
species which has the same form and habit, but a dif-
ferent external covering. The name of the latter is
Lutung ; but the Malays and Europeans apply this
name to both species, and distinguish them by the
epithet of black and red ; the Budeng being denomi-
nated Lutung itam, and the Lutung of the Javanese,
Lutung mera. In Sumatra the name of the < Maure*
is Lotong.

170 THE NATTJBAL HISTOBY OF

" The Budeng, or the black species, is much more
abundant than the Lutung, or the red species ; and
the latter, both on account of its variety and com-
parative beauty, is a favourite among the natives.
Whenever an individual is obtained, care is taken to
domesticate it, and it is treated with kindness and
attention. The Budeng, on the contrary, is neglected
and despised ; it requires much patience in any degree
to improve the natural sullenness of its temper. In
confinement it remains during many months grave
and morose; and as it contributes nothing to the
amusement of the natives, it is rarely found in vil-
lages, or about the dwellings. This does not arise
from any aversion on the part of the Javanese to the
monkey race ; the most common species of the island,
the Cercocebus aygula of Geoffroy, the Egret of Pen-
nant, is very generally domesticated ; and a favourite
custom of the natives is to associate it with the horse.
In every stable, from that of a prince to that of a
mantry, or chief of a village, one of these monkeys is
found ; but I never observed the Budeng thus distin-
guished.

" The Semnopithecus maurus is found in- abun-
dance in the extensive forests of Java ; it forms its
dwelling on trees, and associates in numerous societies.
Troops, consisting of more than fifty individuals, are
often found together. In meeting them in the forests,
it is prudent to observe them at a distance. They
emit loud screams on the approach of man ; and by

THE NEGRO MONKEY. 171

the violent bustle and commotion excite* 6y their
movements, branches of decaying trees are lot unfre-
quently detached, and precipitated on the spectators.
They are often chased by the natives for the purpose
of obtaining their fur. In these pursuits, which are
generally ordered and attended by the chiefs, the ani-
mals are attacked with cudgels and stones, and cruelly
destroyed in great numbers. The skins are prepared
by a simple process, which the natives have acquired
from the Europeans, and they conduct it at present
with great skill. It affords a fur of a jet black colour^
covered with long silky hairs, which is usefully em-
ployed both by the natives and the Europeans in pre-
paring riding equipages and military decorations.

" The Budeng, during its young state, feeds on
tender leaves of plants and trees ; and when adult
on wild fruits of every description, which are found in
great abundance in the forests which it inhabits/'

The last animal to be introduced here is one also
figured in Dr Horsfield's Java, under the name of
Semnopithecus pyrrhus. It is closely allied to the
preceding in form and size, but differs in being of a
clear reddish-brown, and is given by this distinguished
zoologist with some doubt as distinct ; but the differ-
ent name by which it is known among the natives,
and the permanency of its shades, he thinks, will entitle
it to separation.

We now '<we to Frederic Cuvier's second great

172

THE NATIJEAL HISTOET OF

division of the true Guenons, comprising the genera
Cercopithecus and Cercocebus of Geoffroy. The man-
ners are very nearly similar; but the graduation ol
the facial angle, the large cheek-pouches, and shorter
tail of the latter, seem to lead gradually to the baboons.
The system of dentition also allies them by the length
of the canine teeth ; and the annexed cut may be com-
pared with those illustrating the preceding genus Sem-
nopithecus.

Guenons.

We shall first notice Cercopithecus. In form it is
very closely allied to the last ; but differs from both it
and the following by the large facial angle of from 50*
to 55, rounded heads, flat noses, and long posterior
extremities. The manners are also similar ; but the

C K R C O P I T H K C U S MO N A .

lheVariedlfcn

THE CEHCOPITHECS, ETC. 173

animals comprised under it are more remarkable for
grace of form, and beauty of colouring, and its type
has been eulogized as elegant in the highest degree,
mild of disposition, affectionate, and penetrating ; and
possessing every quality that could adorn the disposi-
tion of an animal. The species we allude to is,

THE VARIED MONKEY.

Cercopithecus mona. GEOFFROY.

PLATE X.

The Varied Monkey, Pennanfs Quadrupeds, page 210 La
Mone, Audibert, Histoire Naturette des Singes Frederic
Cuvier, Histoire Naturette des Mammiferes* Guenon
Mone, Desmarets'* Mammologie, p- 58.

THE Mona, says Frederic Cuvier, is superior to all
the Guenons in the elegance of its form, and grace
of its movements, the mildness of its disposition,
the delicacy of understanding, and sagacity of counte-
nance ; and its outward adornments vie with its in-
ternal acquirements in the beauty and variety of their
tints. It has generally been thought to be a native of
Barbary, although no proof can be adduced. They
certainly are brought from Africa; and from the facility
with which they bear a European climate, we may
suppose the northern or mountainous districts are their
native abodes.

174 THE NATUKAL HISTOBT OP

The individual represented by F. Cuvier, and
which has served for our copy, was procured to the
Parisian Menagerie while very young, and on account of
its mild and retiring manners was allowed to go at large.
Age did not alter these traits of its character, and
its gambols are performed with a sedate activity, which
is not intrusive or disagreeable. Notwithstanding, its
cunning and activity are very great, and particularly
its adroitness in performing any little theft without the
slightest noise. It will open a chest or drawer by
turning the key in the lock, will untie knots, undo the
rings of a chain, and will search one's pockets with a
delicacy of touch which will not be felt until the
theft has teen discovered; the latter was its most
favourite amusement, and a stranger seldom escaped
without being rifled. It is playful when caressed,
and will return them with gentleness, uttering at the
time a low cry, as if an expression of pleasure, and in
every way is free from the disgusting manners possessed
by most other monkeys. Of their habits in a wild state,
nothing whatever is known, and the account of those
who have mentioned them can be reduced to no proof,
and seem to be more the result of conjecture than of
reality.

The colouring of a specimen in the Zoological Gar-
dens is thus described by Mr Bennet, and appears the
most correct we are acquainted with: " The top of
the head is of a greenish-yellow, mingled with a slight
tinge of black, and the neck, back, and sides, are of

THE YABIED MONKEY. 175

a deep chestnut brown, passing downwards as far as
the shoulders and haunches, where it changes into a
dusky slate colour, which is continued on the limbs
and tail. The latter organ is considerably longer than
the body, and has, on each side of its base, a very
remarkable white spot. The under surface of the
body, and the inside of the limbs, are of a pure and
delicate white, separated from the neighbouring colours
by an abrupt line of demarcation.

" The naked upper part of the face, comprehending
the orbits and the cheeks, is of a bluish purple ; the
lips, and so much of the chin as is without hair, flesh-
coloured; on the sides of the face, large bushy whiskers,
of a light straw colour, mixed with a few blackish
rings, advance forwards, and cover a considerable
portion of the cheeks. Above the eyebrows is a trans-
verse black band, extending on each side as far as
the ears, and surmounted by a narrow crescent-shaped
stripe of gray, which is sometimes scarcely visible.
' The ears and the hands are of a livid flesh colour."

Another very beautiful allied species is the Diana
or Palatine monkey, (Cercopitkecus Diana, Geoff.,)
so named by Linnaeus from the white crescent-shaped
band, the emblem of the Virgin Huntress, which adorns
its brow.

It is a native of the eastern coast of Africa, prin-
cipally in Guinea, is about eighteen inches in length,
with a tail exceeding two feet. Its colouring. Mr

176 THE NATURAL HISTOBY OF

Bennet observes, is peculiarly varied and graceful.
The head, neck, sides, and middle of the body beneath,
are of a deep ash colour, gradually becoming darker
on the outside of the limbs, and finally changing into
a deep black upon the hands. The tail also exhibits a
dark shade, and terminates with a point entirely black.
The general colour may be described as consisting of a
mixture of black and white, the former predominating,
and the whole having a grisly appearance. But the most
conspicuous feature, is a straight line of long white hairs,
surmounting a less obvious one of black, which runs
in a crescent form across the forehead, above the eyes,
and extends nearly to the ears. The specimen in
the Zoological Society was playful and familiar. By
Linnaeus the Diana monkey is said to be fond of all
kinds of vegetables, but particularly to delight in
fruits, raisins, nuts, and almonds ; and would willingly
also eat eggs and bread, but animal food was not en-
joyed ; it drank often, and before taking anything
would always smell it. It was remarkably fond of
heat ; and, when the cold season commenced, gave
vent to its uneasiness in shrill complaints. Every
thing that is set before the animal is turned over,
even the vessel which is put down with its food.
When a stranger is introduced it shows its teeth, and
bows repeatedly with the head and, if enraged, en-
deavours to bite its enemy.

This genus will contain seven or eight species in
addition; for a brief notice of which we refer out

CERCOPITHECITS RUHER.
(TheRedMonkev.)

THE RED MOXKET. 177

readers to the note of species given at the conclusion.
We shall here only mention another animal, remark-
able among its congeners for the uniformity of it?
colouring, it is,

THE RED MONKEY.

Cercopithecus ruler GEOFFROY.

PLATE XL

Simla rubra, Linnaeus Cercopithecus ruber, Geoff roy, An-

nales du Museum, vol. xix. p. 96 Guenon patas, Des-
maresfs Mammalogie, p. 59 Le Patas, Frederic Cuvier,
Histoire Naturelle des Mammiferes.

IT is a species long known, recorded so far back as
Prosper Alpinus, who has given both a figure and
description. The length of the body is about one foot
four or five inches, and that of the tail is nearly equal.
All the upper parts are of a brilliant reddish fawn
colour, which is shaded into a pale grayish tinge on
the arms and legs, and the face, cheeks, breast, and
belly, are pure white ; a band of black hair crosses
above the eyebrows, and there are two lines of the
same colour upon the upper lip, in the shape of mus-
taches, which give the countenance a peculiar phy-
siognomy. It is a native of Senegal. Mr. Bennet
mentions that a young individual in the Zoological
Museum, Bruton Street, " is lively and active, but

178 THE KATTTBAL HISTORY OP

aomewhat irascible when handled. When pleased,
it dances on all-fours in a peculiar and measured step,
winch is far from being ungraceful, although after a
time it becomes ludicrous from its regular monotony."
Two young specimens kept by F. Cuvier were mis-
chievous at a very early age; and though not defi-
cient in the penetration of their race, showed all the
impatience and caprice which characterise the true
Guenons.

In Geoffrey's second subdivision of the Guenons
having the more elongated muzzle, and to which he
has applied the title of Cercocebus, will be seen,

THE MANGABEY OR WHITE EYELID MONKEY.

Cercocebus fuliginosus. GEOFFROY.

PLATE XII.

Simla ethiops, Linnaus. White Eyelid Monkey, Pennant's
Quadrupeds, 204. Mangabey, Bujffbn+Guenon enfume,
Desmaresfs Mammalogte,?. 62 ; Frederic Cuvier, Histoire
Naturelle des Mammiferes Cercocebus fuliginosus, Geof.
froy, Annahs du Museum, vol. xix. p. 97.

WE have placed this curiously-marked monkey first
in this subdivision, as possessing considerable alliance
in form to the preceding ; so much so, as to be by
some zoologists placed with it. We prefer Geoffrey's

CERCOCBBUS FULIGINOSVS.

I The Mans ali KV or Wliitr. eyelid Mraikev

THE MANGABEY OE WHITE EYELID MONKEY. 179

arrangement, and look upon it as one of those con-
necting forms which can be so constantly traced.

Excepting the plate in Frederic Cuvier's Mam-
mifereSj there is no good coloured representation of this
animal, and we were so fortunate as to procure a
drawing from a living female lately exhibited by Mr
Wombwell in Edinburgh.* This animal is generally
described to be mild and good-tempered, but very
restless and active ; and the female we have alluded
to fully confirmed these accounts. She was certainly
a most lively animal, never for a moment at rest,
and particularly active when observed, as if conscious
of the notice she excited, and anxious to display her
talents. She performed many of the attitudes of the
most experienced Harlequins. When the sketch was
taken, she was particularly troublesome in her display,
and is represented in the attitude in which she most
frequently placed herself; sometimes extending the
one hand and sometimes the other. She was extremely
gentle, and never resented any of the troublesome
usage to which animals in a menagerie are so frequent-
ly subjected by their various visiters ; on the con-
trary, she was delighted to see strangers, and seemed
flattered by their attentions. She was remarkably
cleanly and careful not to soil her person. When

* Mr Wombwell allowed Mr Lizars to make drawings from
several of the interesting animals in his collection, and the pro*
prietor of the Naturalist's Library takes this opportunity to offer
hie acknowledgments for Mr "WVs attentions.

180 THE BTATTJRAL HISTORY OF

feeding she seldom put her head to the food or dish,
but lifted and conveyed it to her mouth. Her food
was chiefly bread and milk, and occasionally vegetables,
of which a carrot was a very favourite luxury.

This monkey is most appropriately named from
the white colour of the eyelids, a most conspicuous
feature in its physiognomy, and assisting the expres-
sion often thrown into the ridiculous grimaces, which,
Mr Bennet remarks, " it continues in a state of con-
finement with laudable perseverance and unwearied
zeal." ' In both this species and another, <f the
collared white eyelid monkey," (Cercocebus etkiops,
Geoffroy,) the eyelids are of a very peculiar colour,
a sort of clear grayish-white, but with a dead or
chalky hue. In the female above alluded to, this
colour was remarkably apparent, contrasting with the
naked parts of the face, which resembled Indian
rubber, and its transparent shade of dark brownish
purple. The -hair is fine and soft to the touch,
and on the upper parts is of a dull sooty black
(expressively named enfumee by the French natura-
lists,) darker upon the hands, gradually shading into
a yellowish tint on the breasts, belly, and inside
of the thighs. On these parts the thin coating of
hair plainly showed the skin, which is very pure
flesh-colour. The extremities are of the same colour
and texture with the face ; and it has been remarked
-that they resembled a lady's hand covered with a
very fine black kid glove.

THE MANGABEY OB WHITE EYELID MONKEY. 181

The native country of the white eyelid monKej
seems to be yet somewhat uncertain. The west
toast of Africa is generally assigned to it ; and the
specimen which formed the subject of our plate, was
said to be procured from that country.

The collared white eyelid monkey which we have
mentioned, appears to inhabit the opposite or eastern
side of the same continent, and is an animal of greater
beauty. The upper part of the head is deep chestnut-
brown, and the back of the neck is crossed by a
collar of the purest white, which reaches forward upon
the cheeks, and forcibly contrasts with the deep shade
of the body.

Another animal placed in this division, and with
what F. Cuvier terms the Malbrouks, may be almost
said to join in a small group among the Guenons;
they have a peculiarity of carrying the tail arched over
the back, in the manner of a cur dog ; and in parts of
their form and physiognomy come much nearer to the
baboons. The first we shall mention is

182 THE ffATUBAL HISTOBY OP

THE GREEN MONKEY.

Cercocebus sabceus. GEOFFROY.

PLATE XIII.

St Jago monkey, Edwards' Gleanings, Plate 215. The Green
monkey, Pennant's Quadrupeds, 203. Guenon callitricbe,
Desmaresfs Mammalogie, page 61 Cercocebus sabceus,
Geoffroy, Annales du Museum, vol. xix. p. 99. Le Calli-
triche, Frederic Cuvier, Histoire Naturelle des Mam.
miferes.

THE green monkey is one of the most abundant of
this group, and is perhaps oftener seen in a captive
state than any of the others. It is a native of the
Cape Verd Islands and the continent of Africa, and
in its disposition seems to possess part of the bad
traits of the baboons, though it is at the same time
lively and playful. That described by M. Cuvier, in
the Menagerie du Museum, became very fierce and
irascible, and even bit the keepers who happened to
get within his reach.

The description given by Mr Bennet of the speci-
mens in the Zoological Gardens, may be considered
accurate ; in some specimens, the shade of colouring
varies, but there is no other variation of consequence.

THE GBEEff MONKEY. 183

<* The colour is greenish-yellow above, arising from
the ringing of the hairs with various shades of yellow
and black, but assumes more of a dark grizzled appear-
ance on the sides of the body, and outer sides of the
limbs, which become gradually darker towards the
hands. The face, ears, and naked part of the hands, are
of a jet black ; the former is of a triangular shape,
bounded above the eyes by a straight line of stiff black
' hairs, and on the sides by spreading tufts of light hairs,
with a yellowish tinge, meeting in a point beneath the
chin. The neck and chest are white; the under parts of
the body have a yellowish tinge ; and the inside of the
limbs is gray. The length of the head and body is
sixteen or eighteen inches, and that of the tail some-
what more/'

This animal, or at least one under the title of the
" Green Monkey," has been mentioned by many tra-
vellers, who give accounts of the vast troops which
assemble together. In Adanson's Voyage to Senegal,
it is thus introduced :

" But what struck rne most, was the shooting of
monkeys, which I enjoyed within six leagues this side
of Podor, on the lands to the south of Donai, other-
wise called Coq ; and I do not think there ever was
better sport. The vessel being obliged to stay there
one morning, I went on shore, to divert myself with
my gun. The place was very woody, and full of
green monkeys, which I did not perceive but by their
breaking the boughs on the tops of the trees, from

184 THE NATUEAL HISTOEY OP

whence they tumbled down upon me; for in other
respects they were so silent and nimble in their tricks,
that it would have been difficult to hear them. Here
I stopped, and killed two or three of them, before the
others seemed to be much frighted ; however, when
they found themselves wounded, they began to look
for shelter, some by hiding themselves among the large
boughs, others by coming down upon the ground ;
others, in fine, and these were the greatest number,
by jumping from one tree to another. Nothing could
be more entertaining, when several of them jumped
together on the same bough, than to see it bend under
them, and the hithermost to drop down to the ground,
while the rest got further on, and others were still
suspended in the air. As this game was going on, I
continued still to shoot at them ; and though I killed
no less than three-and-twenty in less than an hour,
and within the space of twenty fathoms, yet not one
of them screeched the whole time, notwithstanding
that they united in companies, knit their brows
gnashed their teeth, and seemed as if they intended
to attack me."

Another species belonging to this group is Fre-
deric Cuvier's Malbrouk, Cercocebus cynosurus, de-
scribed and figured by that naturalist as an animal
of truly arboreal habits ; walking with difficulty on
the ground, and exhibiting the greatest activity when
sporting on the bars of its cage ; it could sustain itself

THE MALBEOUK. 1S5

by successive darts from one side of its cage to the
other, performed by the force of its feet alone, and
would keep up this severe motion for a considerable
period. When young it was docile and mild-tempered,
but age brought with it propensities more brutal.
The chief characteristic of its disposition, as it is in all
the congeners, is extreme caution, or, as it were, an
arrangement or previous plan of the actions to be
performed ; thus, in their attacks, the opportunity is
watched when the person or animal is off their guard
and otherwise employed, and it is always made from
behind ; wounds are inflicted with the teeth and
nails, and a sudden dart places them at a distance,
where they will remain, showing their anger with ex-
pressive changes of countenance, and watching the
time when the attack can be with safety renewed.

The countenance of this animal becomes more like
that of the baboons, and, with the feet and skin of the
ears, is black. The cheeks, chin, and a band above the
eyes, are white, as also the under parts and the insides
of the legs ; all the other parts are of a yellowish-green,
and the general contour is so similar to the green mon-
key, that it has been mistaken for it in a young state.

Another allied animal, equally remarkable for the
beauty of its yellowish-green fur, is the red-vented
monkey, Cercocebus pygerythrceus a native of the
forests to the interior of the Cape, truly arboreal, and
never met beyond the boundaries of the larger woody
tracts. The form is somewhat different ; but the

186 THE UTATUBAL HISTOET OF

similarity of the upper covering, tne white cheeks,
and frontal band, place it close to those we have just
now described.

We again refer to our Synopsis for an enumeration
of the other Cercocebi, and will now proceed to the
next forms, which will commence

THE BABOONS,

We have now reached these forms which conduct
from monkeys of pleasing appearance and gentle man-
ners, to the most disgusting of the whole tribe. They
may be generally designated under the title of baboons,
but naturally form themselves into two -groups those
with the muzzle still more lengthened than the
Guenons, but having the nostrils placed as it were on
the face ; a body of considerable size and strength, and
the tail shorter ; the dispositions becoming more sulkv
and untraetable, furious and revengeful, when annoy-
ed.* The second, comprised in the true Cynocephali
of Cuvier, and which are at once characterised by the
position of the nostrils at the very extremity of the
muzzle. Their size is very large ; their strength enor-
mous ; their dispositions possessing scarcely a good
quality, and combining great fierceness and malig-
nity, which, joined with their strength, renders them

* The fignette will give an idea of this form.

DOG-FACED BABOONS. 187

afways dangerous in confinement or when attacked
in a wild state. The form and arrangement of the
teeth is nearly similar, except in size, among both
groups ; the principal peculiarity will be observed in
the form of the canine teeth, which are of remarkable
strength, and in the grinders, the last of which has
an additional point, somewhat resembling that of
Semnopithecus.

The first genus to be mentioned is Macacus of
Lacepede, into which we have also brought the Ehesus
monkey, retaining the two tail-less species by them-
selves. The Ouanderou has generally been taken
for the type of this form ; but, before describing it,
we shall mention the Macaque of Frederick Cuvier,
(Simia cynocephalus, Linnaeus), which evidently forms
the passage between the Guenons and Baboons. It
is distinguished by a blunt and elongated muzzle,
forming a facial angle of 40 to 45 ; by the promi-
nency of the superciliary crests which cover the eyes,
and give a peculiar expression to the physiognomy,
and by the comparative shortness of the tail, which
is rarely equal to the length of the body.

In this species we still see the colouring of the
Guenons, and the length of tail is nearly equal to
that of the individuals we last described; but we
want the light and agile form, and see the proportions
heavily and strongly made. The head is large, the
muzzle short, the nose flat, and the superciliary ridges
ample and lowering ; the fingers are united with a

188 THE HATTJRAL HISTORY OF

membrane for the length of the first phalanx. The
general position of the animal is on all-fours, or seated
on its buttocks, and it generally feeds in one of these
positions, either by the assistance of its hands, or by
placing the muzzle at once among the food, always,
however, filling the cheek-pouches, which are ample,
before any portion has been swallowed. When asleep,
it either lies on one side like a dog, or sits in a bent
position, with the head reclining on the breast.

Monkeys have very seldom produced young in a
Btate of confinement in this country, and they have
been still more rarely brought to maturity. Frederic
Cuvier gives an account of a pair of these animals
which produced, though the young survived only a
few days. The male and female were confined in
separate cages, in sight of each other, and their de-
monstrations of the softer passions, induced their
keepers to allow one habitation ; nearly a year after
the female proved with young, and in seven months
gave birth to a female. It was well formed; the
eyes were open at birth, and its nails were complete.
It was however too weak to support itself, and the
mother treated it with no attention, did not attempt
to suckle it, and entirely left it ; the next day it
died. Some time after, a second female was produced,
under similar circumstances, and all attempts to rear
it were equally unsuccessful.

Another monkey, which ought to stand in this
place, is the Toque of Frederic Cuvier, Macacus sinicus.

MACACUS SILENUS.

i TlieWmirl'.Tooifmikey.

DOG-FACED BABOONS. 189

It is remarkable for the slender form of the muzzle,
but approaches nearer to Cercocebus in colouring, and
has a longer tail than the generality of our present
group.

We have now endeavoured to represent,

THE WANDEROO MONKEY.

Macacus silenus. LACEPEDE.

PLATE XIV.

Lion- tailed baboon, Pennant's Quadrupeds, 198. Macaque a
criniere, Cuvier, Regne Animal, i. 95 ; Audibert, Histoire
Naturelle des Singes Papio silenus, Geoff roy, Annales du
Museum, vol. xix. p. 1 02 The Wanderoo monkey, Gardens
and Menagerie of the Zoological Society, p. 21.

THE Wanderoo, or lion-tailed monkey of Pennant,
is so well marked, that a description, in addition to
the figure, is almost unnecessary.

Knox describes it shortly and quaintly in his
Ceylon : He says, " there are abundance in the woods,
as large as English spaniel dogs, of a darkish-gray
colour, and black faces, with great white beards round
from ear to ear, which make them show just like old
men. They do little mischief, keeping in the woods,
eating only leaves and buds of trees ; but when they
are catched they will eat anything. This sort they
call, in their language, Wanderows"

190 THE NATURAL HISTORY OF

A specimen in the collection of the Zoological
Society is extremely active, and occasionally trouble-
some, but is good-tempered; he is, however, yet
young, and may afterwards prove dangerous from his
strength. <s His favourite exercise appears to consist
in throwing himself together, with his chain over the
transverse bar, which passes from pole to pole, and
swinging himself backwards and forwards, while thus
suspended by his loins. When a party enters the
room, he usually descends his pole with rapidity, and
watches a favourable opportunity for jumping upon
some of them unawares, and carrying off a hat, or
whatever else he may happen to seize, with which he
instantly reascends his pole, and seats himself at the
top, enjoying the success of his scheme/' *

In some of the other species the tail becomes much
shorter, such as the M. rhcesus and nemestrina ; but
a better idea will be formed from the vignette on the
titlepage.

We shall proceed to the next genus, Inuus of Cuvier,
and have given, as an illustration,

" Gardens of Menagerie.

OTUUS SYLVANITS.
( TheBarbaryApe.)

THE BAEBAEY AE. 191

THE BARBARY APE.

Inuus sylvanus. CUVIER.

PLATE XV.

Simia inuus, Linnceus. Magot, Euffon ; Frederic Cuvier,
Histoire Naturelle des Mammiferes Macaque magot, Des-
maresfs Mammalogie^ p. 67 Barbary ape, Pennant" 9
Quadrupeds; Gardens of Zoological Society Magot Afri-
cam, Inuus ecudatus, Geqffroy, Annales du Museum, xix.
p. 100.

THIS monkey is remarkable, both on account of its
peculiar form, and as being the only quadrumanous
animal found on the European continent. By Fre-
deric Cuvier it is thought to be limited in its geo-
graphical distribution to Barbary and Egypt, and
the southern districts of Spain, and not to extend
over Africa to China and India, as some naturalists
allege. But the most celebrated abode of this species
is the precipitous sides of the rock of Gibraltar, which
is said by a historian of its celebrated siege to be re-
markable for the number of apes about its summit,
breeding in inaccessible places, and appearing in large
droves with their young on their backs, on the west-
ern face of the hill.

192 THE NATURAL HISTCET OP

Frederic Cuvier says, that they walk most com-
monly on all-fours, while at the same time they
are very active climbers. He confirms the opi.
nion of them' being gregarious, filling the forests
with their vast troops, and openly attacking those
enemies which they think they can overcome^ while
they drive to a distance, by their numbers and scream-
ing an intruder of whose powers they are doubtful.
In a state of captivity it is capable of more than
ordinary powers of comprehension ; but, to improve
those abilities as far as possible, it should be procured
young, as with advanced age they generally become
more sullen and morose, and even sometimes danger-
ous. It is very frequently seen at home, and, next to
the green monkey, has the misfortune to be most
frequently selected to accompany strolling bands, and
owes most of its torments to the superior intelligence
it is endowed with.

In captivity, it agrees with fruits, bread, and boiled
vegetables, particularly carrots and potatoes ; and its
natural gregarious dispositions appear also to be pre-
served in its delighting in the society of some little
animal, which is often placed in its company. Our
plate from Frederic Cuvier will give an idea of its
form and appearance. The females are nearly similar,
though generally less in -size.

There is another tail-less animal which we would
introduce in this place, as forming the real passage to
the true CynocephalL It is the CyuQcepkaluA nigw

THE BLACK APE. 193

of Cuvier; while the modem British zoologists
place it in company with the Barbary ape and the
Rkcesus monkey. The general resemblance and phy-
siognomy ally it to the dog-faced baboons, which is
strengthened by the swelled cheeks and flat nose;
but the position of the nostrils, with habits charac-
teristic of the Macaciy and the total want of any
tail, join it with the preceding. Four specimens
only seem yet to . be known ; one in the Royal
Museum in Paris ; another in the Tower of London,
described by Mr Grey in his Spicelogia Zoologica ;
another more lately exhibited in Exeter Change, and
the fourth in the London Zoological Gardens, which
is thus described by Mr Bennet:

" Our animal is of a deep jet black in all its parts,
with the exception of its large callosities, which are
flesh-coloured. The body is covered with long woolly
hair, becoming shorter on the limbs ; its ears are small ;
its tail a mere tubercle, less than an inch in length ;
and its cheek-pouches seem to be capable of much
distension. Its face is broad, rather prominent, slightly
narrowing at the muzzle, and abruptly truncate, with
the nostrils placed very obliquely on the upper sur-
face. On the top of the head it has a broad tuft of
long hairs, falling backwards, and forming a very re-
markable crest. The expression of its physiognomy
is peculiarly cunning. It seems to be rather violent
in its temper, and tyrannizes not a little over the quiet

194i THE NATURAL HISTOEY OF

gray Gibbon, which is at present confined in the same
cage."

The native country of this monkey is yet somewhat
uncertain ; but the best authorities record it as the
islands of the Indian Archipelago.

With this species we close what was mentioned as
the first division of the Baboons, and enter upon the
second the Cynocephali of Cuvier. These, according
to the researches of the brother of this great naturalist,
consist of only six species, which are again subdivided
into two very natural sections. The one, with a con-
siderable length of tail ; the other, with the muzzle
swollen upon the sides, and in the adults raised into
coloured ridges, while the tail is a tubercle finished
by a tuft of hairs, and stands erect, appearing, from
the position of the coccyx, as if placed upon the lower
part of the back itself.

The Cynocephali are all of large size, and indeed
exceed that of any of the quadrumanae, if we except
the adult orang-outang; their proportions combine
strength and activity, and their physiognomy fierceness
with intelligence ; while their dispositions are so fickle,
or so easily affected the transition from one passion
to another is so rapid, that they are never to be
trusted and the paroxysms of their rage are described
by F. Cuvier to be so great, that some have fallen vic-
tims to the consequences. That zoologist thinks that in
this group the active animal passions are developed

THE CTXOCEPHALT. 195

to their utmost extent. In a wild state, they possess
an intuitive knowledge of what will harm them,
and combining with it great cunning, they most
frequently disappoint their enemies. They attack at
a distance, and threaten with their cries, but only
use their powerful strength, and formidable tusks, when
compelled by danger. The naturalist we have men-
tioned above, would even attribute to them a power
of higher intelligence that they will destroy a planta-
tion from revenge, watching their opportunity ; and
he relates an anecdote of the Chacma,* which severely
bit his keeper upon being threatened to be struck,
though the animal had never seen a stick, and had
never been beaten. In like manner, he continues,
are these animals so susceptible of the instruction of
circumstances in a wild state, capable of receiving it
artificially from man, and they are often met with
performing various feats at the command of their
keepers ; but he adds, it is only when young that they
thus submit. They retain a kind of docility longer
than the period of their youth, but it is effected in a
different way ; their passions or their likings must
be administered to. Such was the case with the speci-
men of the Mandril so long exhibited in Exeter Change,
under the name of " Happy Jerry/' He would have
done anything for gin and water, and the love of drink
became so strong, that he would have made any

* See description, page 1 56.
H

196 THE NATURAL HISTORY OP

sacrifice: perhaps some theorists will adduce this
common vice as an argument for the common na-
ture of men and monkeys. We have heard of another
animal of this kind, possessed of a curious propensity,
which might serve as an additional proof towards the
same end ; he was kept at large by a gentleman, who
kept also a pack of harriers, and to enjoy either the noise
or the sport, would travel to an eminence whenever
the hounds threw off. This love for field-sports had,
however, nearly proved fatal. The hounds one day
got upon Jerry's trail on his return home, and he
was only saved by a tree occurring opportunely.
Superior intelligence was, on this occasion, so far
displayed, that Jerry never afterwards enjoyed hare
hunting.

These baboons having the general organization of
the quadrumanous animals, are necessarily arboreal in
their habits, though not to such an extent as the
other monkeys of the Old World; and they are at
greater ease when on the ground, on account of the
more accurate proportion of the hind quarters, though
their motions there are still awkward and constrained.
Their pace is generally a kind of slow gallop, per-
formed by alternate undulations of the whole fore and
hinder parts. Their agility on a tree is, however,
surprising when we look at their heavy bodies ; they
possess all the power of grasping and swinging; take
immense leaps, and will in a manner tumble from one
part of a tree to another, before the spectator can think

THE CYNOCEPHALI. 197

tt possible. In this way they equally possess qualifica-
tions for pursuing or eluding an enemy. They feed chief-
ly on fruits and roots, or the young and tender shoots of
various plants. Their natural country is the warmer
parts of Africa and India. They are very suscepti-
ble of cold, and great care has to be taken with those
kept in confinement in Europe, and, even with every
precaution, a few years is generally the limit of their
existence. The hair is longer than usual, and forms
a sort of mane on the upper parts.

For an illustration of the first form among the
Cynocephali, we have selected,

THE CHACMA.

Papio comatus. .GEOFFRCY.

PLATE XVI.

Babuin chevelu, Papio comatus, Geoff roy, Annales du Museum^
xix. p. 103.- Cynocephalus chacma, DesmaresCs Mammalogie^
p, 6,9 Le Chacma, Frederic Cuvier^s Histoire Naturelle
des Mammiferes.

THE animal which formed the subject of the an-
nexed plate, copied from that in the Histoire Naturelle
des Mammiferes, was procured very young. During
his youth his frolics made him amusing, but his mis-
chievous disposition soon became dangerous, and it

10 S THE XATUEAL HISTORY OP

oecame necessary to chain him at the door of a court.

There he performed the office of a watch-dog, and

soon became the terror even of his keepers. From

his ferocity, his master was obliged to get rid of him.

F. Cuvier relates another instance of ferocity in a
specimen kept in the Jardin du Roi. This animal
made his escape from his cage to the enclosure in
which he was confined. His keeper imprudently
threatened him with a stick, which so enraged the
animal that he darted upon him, and before the man's
release could be affected, wounded him so severely on
the thigh as to put his life in danger. Nor could
every endeavour prevail on the animal to return to his
confinement, until his rage was again roused by the
following expedient. The keeper's daughter often
supplied him with food, and seemed a great favourite.
She placed herself at a door opposite that of the cage
through which the animal had to pass, and a stranger
appearing to caress her, the chacma darted upon him,
but was secured before he could pass through his
cage.

The Chacma is a native of Africa, in the neigh-
bourhood of the Cape of Good Hope. The colour is of
a greenish or grayish-black, paler upon the fore part
of the shoulders and flanks. The neck is clothed
with long hair, in the form of a mane, which has fur-
nished Geoffroy with a character for the name he has
attached. The skin of the face and extremities are of
a purplish-black, relieved around the eyes by a paler

THE CHACMA. 190

tint, and by the upper eyelids, which are nearly
white, as in the mangabey or white eyelid monkey.
It is also remarkable hi having the naked callosities
very small.

Another animal allied in colour is the dog-faced
baboon of Pennant, the Tartar in of F. Cuvier, thought
originally to be a native of Arabia, but at present
rare in the European collections. It is equally fierce
and dangerous with the preceding ; of a greenish-gray
colour; the anterior part of the body clothed with
very long and shaggy hair.

The next animals we shall mention are Le Babouin
and Le Papion of Frederic Cuvier. The first, appa-
rently, is the Simla cynocephalus of Linnaeus, and is
thought by the above-mentioned author to be one of
those adored in the temple of Hermopolis, and so fre .
quently seen among the Egyptian hieroglyphics.

The colour is of a uniform yellowish-green, paler on
the under parts ; and the more remarkable deviations
of form, are in the nostrils being prolonged to the
length of the jaws, separated above by a very marked
hollow, and by the lateral cartilages advancing as far
forward as that in the centre. The tail is raised at
its origin, and appears as if placed in the same posi-
tion with that of the Mandril, but is of considerable
length, reaching below the hams. It may be re-
marked, that this baboon has been confounded with
the next, which Frederic Cuvier considers perfectly
distinct and has named Le Papion. This animal is

200 THE NATURAL HISTORY OF

considerably larger in size ; the colour is of a ruddier
hue ; the cartilages of the nose are longer than the
jaws ; and the colour of the skin on the face, extremi-
ties, and ears, are black, while the upper eyelids are
white. It is a native of Africa, but hitherto unde-
scribed by any traveller in a state of nature.

To illustrate the second form of the true Cynoce-
phali, we have figured,

THE MANDRIL OR RIB-NOSE BABOON.

Papio mormon. GEOFFROY.

PLATE XVII.

Ribbed-nose baboon, Pennant's Quadrupeds, p. 190 Papia
mormon, Geoffroy, Annales du Museum, xix. p. 184..
Cynocephalus mandril, Desmaresfs Mammalogie, p. 70. Le
Mandril, Frederic Cuvier, Ifistoire Naturelle des Mam-
mi feres ; Audibert, Histoire Naturelle des Singes.

THIS formidable animal, the fiercest and most power-
ful of its race, is a native of the Guinea Coast, and
has been well known for a long period in our mena-
geries. In an adult state, the colours of its fur may
vie with any of the quadrumanee, and the general
effect is heightened at a little distance by the rich blue
and purple shades of the muzzle, lips, and other
naked parts of the skin. Upon a nearer view, how-
ever, these beauties do not compensate for its other-

THE MANDRIL OR BIB-NOSE BABOON. 201

wise disgusting appearance. A representation has
been given of this animal ;* and it may be remarked,
that it is only in the adults where the brilliancy of
the colouring is observed. In the young, the hair
is of a uniform tawny-green, paler underneath and
inside the legs, and assuming a yellowish tinge on
the cheeks ; the ridges upon the muzzle commence
to appear of a livid blue, and the bright red of the
nose and lips is of a dull flesh colour. The females
are less in size, and the colouring of the naked parts
is never so vivid.

" Happy Jerry," the property of Mr. Cross, and
so long the prominent attraction to Exeter Change,
was a ribbed-nose baboon. He is described to
have been docile to his keepers, but easily exaspe-
rated by strangers ; and among other accomplish-
ments, had been taught to drink sling and smoke
tobacco. In the first he delighted; but I rather
think the latter was not such a favourite, and a
bribe of gin and water was generally promised be-
fore his performance. His cage was furnished with
a small but strong arm-chair, into which, when
ordered, he would seat himself with great gravity
and await further orders. All his manoeuvres
were performed with great slowness and composure.
His keeper having lighted the pipe, presented it to
him ; he inspected it minutely, sometimes feeling it
with his finger, as if to know if lighted, before in-

* From the plate in Cuvier's Menagerie du Museum.

202 THE NATURAL HISTOET OF

serting it in his mouth. It was then introduced almost
up to the bowl, but with that part generally down-
wards, and it was retained without any appear-
ance of smoke for some minutes, during which time
the animal completely filled his cheek-pouches and
capacious mouth, and would then exhale a volume,
filling his cage from mouth, nose, and sometimes even
the ears. He generally finished with gin and water,
which was handed to him in a goblet ; this he grasped
in one hand, and was not long in discussing.

He was possessed of enormous strength. Two men
could with difficulty withdraw the end of a rope he
one day seized, though they were assisted by the re-
sistance of their feet upon the base of his cage.

He was fed chiefly on vegetables, and preferred
them cooked ; but when he visited Windsor, where
he was exhibited to his late Majesty, he is said to
have dined upon hashed venison with no ordinary
degree of avidity.

The only other animal belonging to this group which
we shall mention, is one which was long involved in
obscurity, and whose young state was frequently
confounded with that we have now described ; it is,

THE DEILL. 203

fuNIVE'RSI/

THE DRILL.

Papio leucophaus^J?. C UVIER.
PLATE XVIII.

Le Drill, Frederic Cuvier, Histoire Naturelle des Mammi-
feres Cynocephale drill, Cynocephalus leucopliseus, Des-
maresfs Mammalogie, p. 71.

THE Drill is nearly as strong and powerful as the
Mandril, and has a similar form. The colours of
the adult are also nearly alike, generally of a duller
hue ; but the principal distinguishing character is the
absence of the ridges upon the muzzle, and of bright
colouring except the border of the upper lip, which,
by Fred. Cuvier, is represented of a bright red.
The under parts are also white. The female
differs in a less size and duller colouring, and by the
head being of a shorter proportion. The native
country seems somewhat uncertain, but it most pro-
bably is also Africa.

With these animals, the forms of the Old World
terminate ; and we now commence the second great
geographical division of the quadrumanae,

204 THE NATUEAL HISTORY OP

THE MONKEYS OF SOUTH AMERICA ;
THOSE OF THE NEW WORLD.

THE forms contained in this division are almos 4
entirely confined to the tropical regions of the Southern
Continent.* They differ in a remarkable degree from
all those we have described in the previous part of this
volume, and in no instance can the South American
species be classed with the inhabitants of the Indian
or African Continents. The most striking outward
differences, are the smaller size and less ferocious
manners of the greater number, the prehensile tail
of many, and the want in all of the cheek-pouches
and naked callosities. Internally, the larynx is re-
markable for its great developement, and the teeth are
thirty-six instead of thirty -two, and, besides, differ
considerably in their structure, as will be perceived in
the woodcuts we have introduced.

In the arrangement of this geographical group, we
have followed that of Geoffrey Saint Hilaire, with the
exception of placing the howlers (Mycetes) first, as the

Named Plafyrrhini by Geoffrey.

THE HOWLEBS.

205

Baron Cuvier has done, instead ofAtetes, and of follow.
ing them by that genus, and Cebus of Xerleben.

THE HOWLERS

contain a single genus, named by Illiger Mycetes*
from the remarkable howling voice of the animals. It
is characterised by a facial angle of about 30 ; the
tail very long, naked at the extremity, and prehensile.
The dentition, according to Frederic Cuvier, is nearly
similar in this and the two next genera ; and we add
the delineation which he considers typical of these

forms. But the prominent character in this group is
the extraordinary developement of the larynx, which is
ventricose, and appears on the outside in the form of

howling.

206 THE NATURAL IIISTOBY OP

a swelling. The internal structure of this member,
in the Mono Colorado of Humboldt, is thus described
in his Zoological Observations, and will serve as a
model for the others. " The bony case of the os
hyoides, measured by water, gave a size equal to four
cubic inches ; the larynx was slightly attached by
muscular fibres, and communicated by a membranous
canal. The larynx consisted of six pouches of ten
lines in length, to from three to five in depth. These
pouches resemble those of the small whistling monkeys,
squirrels, and some birds. They have an opening
above on the same side with that of the glottis, by*
which the air cannot enter without shutting the
epiglottis. Above the pouches there are two others,
of which the lips or borders are yellowish. These are
the pyramidal sacks which enter into the bony case,
and are formed by membranous partitions. The air
is driven into these sacks, which are from three to
four inches long, and terminate in a point, but come
in contact with no part of the large hyoid bone opening
below. The fifth pouch is found in the opening of the
arythenoid cartilage, and is situated between the pyra-
midal sacks of the same form, but shorter ; and the
sixth pouch is formed by the bony drum itself, within
which the voice acquires the mournful and plaintive
tone which characterises these animals."* The

Humboldt, Zool. Otearr. I. p. 9.

THE HOWLEES.

2C7

annexed cut, from Humboldt, will show the Ibnn of
the drum of the os hyoides.

The howlers are also the largest of the American
monkeys ; in their disposition, and fierce manners,
and decimation of the facial angle, they may be said
to represent the Baboons of the Old World, while, in
the nightly howlings and gregarious habits, they bear
some analogy to the Gibbons. The form of this genus
will be seen in

203 THE NATURAL HISTORY OF

THE ARAGUATO.

Mycetet urslnus. HUMBOLDT.

PLATE XIX.

Simla ursina, I/araguata de Caracas, Humboldt, Observation de
Zoologie, i. p. 32S and 355. Stentor ursinus, Geoffrey Saint
Hilaire, Annales du Museum, xix. p. 108.

THIS species was discovered by Humboldt and
Bonpland, who pointed out the distinctions between
It and the Mono Colorado, or red howler. It is thus
described in the zoological researches and personal
narrative of these travellers :

" Having landed at Cumana, we saw the first troops
of Araguatos in our journey to the mountains of
Cocallor and cavern of Guacharo ; and although the
convent of Carisse is situated at a high elevation, and
the degree of cold during the night considerable,* the
surrounding forests abound with the Araguatos, whose
mournful howling is heard at the distance of half a
league, especially when the weather is open, or the

* Centigrade Thermometer fell to 70.

PLATE 19.

THE All AGITATO. 209

e*eetric slate of the air ioreteis rain of a storm. We
have met with them also in the valleys of Aragiia,
upon the Llanos of the Apure and Lower Oronooko,
and in the missions of the Caribes in the province of
New Barcelona, but in greatest abundance near the
pools of stagnant water, shaded Vy the Mauritia,
flexuosa"

They feed on fruit as well as +:ie leaves of vege-
tables. The females are often seen carrying the young
upon the shoulder ; but no difference in the colour be-
tween the ages or sexes was ever perceived. Hum-
boldt thinks, of all gregarious monkeys, none appear so
numerous as this species : upon the banks of the Apure
he has counted above forty upon one tree ; and he lias
no doubt, that upon a square league of these wild
countries, above two thousand may be found.

" The eye, voice, and gait, denote melancholy. I
have seen young Araguatoes brought up in the Indian
huts, which never play like the Sagoins ; and their
gravity was described with much simplicity by Lopez
de Gomara in the beginning of the sixteenth century.

* The Arayuata de los cumanenses,' says this author,

* has the face of a man, the beard of a goat, and a
grave behaviour/ "*

The Araguato has something the appearance of a
young bear; it is nearly three feet in length indepcn*

Personal Narrative, lii. p. 172.

210 THE NATURAL HISTORY OP

dent of the tail, and is entirely covered wuS 4 T,Aick
reddish fur. It is distinguished from th* Mono
Colorado by the longer hair upon the body, the less
bushy beard, and by the under parts being clothed
with hair of the same colour with the other parts, and
not of the brownish black which the naked skin of the
Red Howler exhibits. They differ also in their gait,
and in the sound of their voice.

The fruit, which it is represented eating, is that
of the Inga vera, Wildenow.

Another singular species was discovered by Hum-
boldt the Mycetesflavicauda, and is described by him
under the name of " Le choro de lo provence a Jaen."
It inhabits the banks of the river Amazon, in the pro-
rinces of Jaen and Maynas. The colour is a brown,
shading to black, and dullest on the lower parts ; the
face yellowish-brown ; the tail, shorter than the body,
is the most characteristic mark, and is greenish-black.
adorned upon the sides with two yellowish stripes,
an anomalous distribution of colour among this family.
The hair is very long, soft and shining, and the skin
%ms an object of commerce among the natives; it
is also used by them to cover seats, and for the saddle-
cloths of the mules on which the periodical journey
to the Cordilleras is made.

The other animals which constitute this group are
only seven in number, and inhabit the western pro-
vinces, where abundance of wood is essentially ne-
cessary for them. They are gregarious, and generally

THE SAPAJOUS. 211

very abundant, and in all the sonorous voice is con.
spicuous.

The next group which occurs is

THE SAPAJOUS,

Containing animals of a more slender form ; milder
dispositions ; the face rather flat ; the tail very long,
and the whole form in the general contour allied to
the Guenons of the Old World. The first genus to be
mentioned is Ateles of Geoffroy, so named from the
imperfect structure of the fore extremities, which want
the thumbs, and thus bear analogy to those of Colobus
in the first geographical division. It may be charac-
terised by a facial angle of about 60 ; by the extre-
mities being very long and slender; the fore
hands destitute of a thumb, or having that member
supplied by a rudiment ; the tail very long, covered
at the tip with a delicate skin, strongly prehensile ;
the os hyoides large, but not apparent on the outside.

By Geoffroy, two species, which have a rudimentary
thumb, are generally placed at the commencement of
this genus the A. hypoxanthus and Subpentadactytus ;
but the form is well represented by

212 THE KiTUBAL HISTOET OP

THE COAITA.

Ateles paniscus. GEOFFROY.
PLATE XX.

Simla paniscus, Linnceus. Coaita, Buffbn. Four-fingered
monkey, Pennant Ateles paniscus, Geoffroy Saint Hilaire^
Annales du Museum, xix. p. 105 ; Desmarest, Mammalogie,
p. 73 ; Humboldt, Observations de Zoologie, i. p. 352 -Le
Coaita, Frederic Cuvier, Histoire Naturelle des Mammi-
feres.

THIS curious monkey, apparently possessing all the
exterior necessaries for great activity, is nevertheless,
Frederic Cuvier remarks, one of the most sluggish. It
moves with slowness, and, as it were, with a dragging
motion. The limbs are placed in the necessary posi-
tions with deliberation, and as if every movement
' required a fresh exercise of thought to determine their
position. The tail is constantly made use of, and is
never relieved from one object until the feet are firmly
nxea, when it is again wound round some other object
of support, as if the former were not sufficiently capa-
ble to maintain it.

The animal described by Cuvier, and from which

PLATE 20

THE COAITA. 213

our illustration is taken, was a female, at that
period young, and joined to a considerable degree of
intelligence a mild and affectionate disposition. The
body is covered with long soft and silky, but strong
black hair, thinner orf the under parts, and without
any mixture of a woolly texture. The fore extremities
want the thumb ; the hinder are formed like the other
quadrumanee, but with longer fingers ; and the long
prehensile tail is terminated on the under side with a
tender and fine skin, which seems to be endowed, like
the hands, with the sense of touch. It makes use of
it to grasp any object of support, suspends itself, and
uses it to draw towards it any objects which are be-
yond the reach of its hands. F. Cuvier says they are .
met with in large troops in the forests of Guiana and
Brasil ; but Humboldt says, that in all his extensive
. travels he has never met with the true Ateles panis^
cus, and that the most common species on the Cassi-
quiare and High Oronooko is the next animal we shall
mention, the Ateles Belzebub of Geoffroy, and the
Marimonda of Humboldt and Bonpland. These
naturalists describe it as also very slow in its move-
ments, mild but timid in disposition ; in the excess of
terror even biting those who caress it, and venting
its temporary rage in a guttural cry of ou-6. Among
all the monkeys with prehensile tails, Humboldt thinks
that this species possesses the most perfect use and
sensibility of it ; it can even, without turning its
head, introduce it into narrow chinks or rents, and

214 THE NATURAL HISTOEY OF

hook out any substance.* He has never observed
the species use it, however, to convey food or any
article to the mouth. They inhabit the banks of the
Oronooko in immense numbers, and are often seen
suspended from the trees, hanging to each other by
tail and hands, in the most grotesque groups. At
another time, these travellers would see them, under
the most scorching sun, throw back their head, fold
their arms upon their backs, and, raising their eyes
to the sky, remain in this position for several hours.

The hair of the Marimonda is very long and shining
upon the upper parts ; on the under parts of a yellow-
ish-red, shining in the sun with a golden lustre. The.
direction of the hair upon the head is remarkable ;
that on the hinder part and crown grows forward,
while that of the forehead is directed backwards, and
the meeting or opposition of the hairs forms a tuft,
which does not improve the physiognomy of the animal ;
the face is naked and black, the mouth surrounded
with pale-coloured hairs ; the lips are capable of con-
siderable extension forward, and the end of the nose
is of a reddish-white altogether, a combination
irreconcilable to pleasing expression.

It is a remarkable circumstance that, among the
South American Indians, monkeys are much more
frequently used as food than among the inhabitants of

* The natives assert that it fishes also with the end of this pre-
hensile organ !

THE MABIMONDA. 215

the Old World, and on the Oronooko the broiled limbs
of the Marimonda were frequently seen by Humboldt
in the huts of the natives ; and at Emeralda he ex-
amined roasted and dried bodies in an Indian hut,
which were prepared for an annual harvest fete.*

Another curious animal belonging to this group is
the Chuva of Humboldt, (Ateles marginatus, Geoffroy,)
inhabiting the province of Jaen de Bracamoros on the
river of the Amazons, where they live also in troops, but
always separate from the Marimonda. It resembles
that animal in its manners, but is distinguished by
the larger size and deep black colour of the upper
parts, and in the breast and inner sides of the legs
and arms only being white.

The next form occurring, is named by Geoffroy
Lagothrix ; and we regret that we have been unable
to procure any illustration of it. The genus may be
characterised by a facial angle of 50. The head
rounder than in the last; hands provided with thumbs;
the tail long and prehensile, naked at the tip under-
neath ; the os hyoides outwardly apparent ; the hair
rough and curled. Two species only are yet discover-
ed; the one mentioned by Geoffroy and Desmarest, buf

* A French writer, speaking of monkeys as a dish, says, " The
are excellent eating, and that a ' soupe aux singes' 1 will be found
as good as any other, as soon as you have conquered the aversion
to the bouilli of their heads, which look very like those of little
ciuldrea."

216 THE NATURAL HISTOBT OF

yet imperfectly known ; said to inhabit Brasil ; of &
grayish ash colour, with reddish head, hands, and tail.
The other, 'discovered by Humboldt and described
by him under the name of Caparro, has been dedi-
cated by Geoffroy to that naturalist, and will stand
in our systems as Lagothrix Humboldtii. It in-
habits the banks of the Guaviare, one of the tributaries
of the Oronooko, where it was discovered by Hum-
boldt and Bonpland, in the hut of an Indian, who
had taken it in an excursion to the west. It is an
animal of considerable size, being about two feet two
inches in length, exclusive of the tail. The head is
round, and singularly large. The hair is long, strong,
and uniformly of a martin gray ; having the tips
black. The face is naked and black, but the mouth
is surrounded by long and stiff bristles. The tail,
slightly longer than 'the body, is prehensile, and
naked at the extremity. They live in numerous
bands, and are frequently seen, says Humboldt, raised
upon the hinder extremities. We are not aware of a
specimen of this animal in any of the collections in
this country.

We must now describe another form, included in the
genus Cebus of Xerleben. The animals contained in
this genus, exhibit great activity; are excellent climbers,
and in all their members show great adaptation for a sil-
van life. The fore hands are very perfectly formed, more
o than those of the monkeys of the Old Continent, and

THE HOENED SAPAJOTT. 217

the thumb bears a better proportion, from its greater
length ; the palms of both fore and hinder extremities
are very sensible of touch. The general size is small,
the dispositions mild and playful ; the food chiefly fruit
and insects ; they are gregarious, and, generally speak-
ing, they may be said to supply the place of the
Guenons of the Old World. They embrace all the
remaining monkeys of the New World, which are
possessed of prehensile tails.

The characters of this genus are. a facial angle of
about 60 ; head round, and the muzzle short ; the
tail prehensile, and entirely covered with hair. The
first species we shall mention is,

THE HORNED SAPAJOU.

Cebus fatuellus. GEOFFROY.

PLATE XXI.

Siipia fatuellus, Linnceus. Sajou cornu, Cebus fatuellus, Geoff roy
Saint Hilaire,Annales du Museum, xix. p. 109 ; Desmaresfs
Mammalogie, p. 84. Le Sajou cornu male, et variete, Frederic
Cuvier, Histoire Naturelle des Mammiferes.

THIS Stipajou, of grotesque figure, from the un-
usual direction of the hair upon the forehead, in
general form, will show the proportions of this genus.
Jt has been long known, and was established in the

218 THE NATURAL HISTOET OF

Systema Naturae of Linnaeus, from specimens described
by Brisson.

The general colour of those figured by Frederic
Cuvier, is a very deep brownish-black, while the spe-
cimens which Buffon and Audibert represent, are
rather of a reddish-brown. We have copied the figures
from Cuvier, being taken from living specimens,
and they may be considered as the most correct
plates of the adult state of this animal. The Horned
Sapajou is one of the largest in the family ; all the
upper parts are very deep purplish or brownish-black,
nearly black on the head and upon the shoulders,
and the dark purple of the skin, which appears on
the naked parts, gives a uniformity of shade to the
whole. The grotesque figure of the head is covered
by the hair of the front, which stands erect, in a
curved or crescent form, and, when viewed in front,
has the appearance of two horns ; the tips of these
hairs, and those on the cheeks, are of a paler shade.
A variety which Cuvier figures has a greater portion of
white about the tufts and jaw.

Geoffroy and Desmarest give French Guiana as
the native country of this species.

The most common species of Sapajou, and that
which is most frequently seen in this country, is the
Weeper monkey, Cebus appella of zoologists. It re-
commends itself for confinement by its good temper,
playful disposition, and hardy constitution. It is also
of a small size ; and, though not clothed in a fur of

THE HOBNED SAPAJOTJ. 219

rich colour, it is of a chaste and pleasing tinge, and,
when the animal is healthy, of a shining, soft and silky
texture. The shades are generally a sort of olive,
tinged with a golden yellow on the light parts ; the
face is surrounded with a circle of paler colours, which
varies considerably in its shade and breadth, being in
some nearly wanting. This has given rise to several
species being formed from it, and to some confusion
in its alliance to one or two other Sapajous ; and,
indeed, Humboldt seems* almost of opinion, that the
animal we have just now figured is only a variety of
this. Some have been known to produce young ones
in confinement.

Another allied species, described by the last-men-
tioned naturalist, is the Ouavapavi des cataractes~
Cebus albifrons. It is about the same size, the colour
of the face grayish-blue, except the orbits and front,
which are pure white ; and the contrast thus exhibited,
at once distinguishes it from those above noticed. The
general colour of the body is grayish-olive, lighter on
the back and belly. Humboldt met with this animal in
troops in the forests near the cataracts of the Oronooko,
and the mission of Santa Barbara. They are ex-
tremely mild in disposition, and very active ; often
kept by the Indians, and one was seen by Humboldt,
at Maypures, which every morning caught a pig, and
continued seated on his back during the day, while
feeding in the savanna round the Indian huts. An-
other is mentioned, in the house of a missionary, which

220 THE NATIJEAL HISTOET OF

would often ride upon a cat, which had been reared
in its company, and which patiently suffered the ex-
ploits of the Ouavapavi.

Like the Guenons of the Old Continent, the Sapajous
are the most numerous group in America ; fifteen or
sixteen species seem to be well established, and are
enumerated in our Synopsis. We shall only describe
another in this place, which is remarkable chiefly for
the great proportional size of the head. It is,

THE LARGE-HEADED SAPAJOU.
Cebus monachus. F. CUVIER.
PLATE XXII.

Le *ai a grosse tete, male ; Cebus monaehus, Frederic Cuvier,
Histoire Naturelle des Mammiferes.

THE most striking feature in this animal is the size
of the head ; and the effect is heightened by the short
or shorn-like white hairs which cover it ; the breast
and belly, sides of the cheeks, and whole front before
the arms, are yellowish- white ; the fore-arms, pos-
terior extremities, and tail, are black ; and a mixture
of black and brown, disposed in irregular patches,
covers the back and rest of the body. F. Cuvier was
ignorant from what part of America his specimen waa
xeceived.

TEE SIAMIEI. 221

We now come to another form, which, though joined
by many zoologists with the preceding, presents very
considerable differences in form and habits. We
begin to enter with it those small species where the
nails take the form of claws, and where the habits
become more akin to the little carnivora ; raw meat,
insects, and birds are relished by them, and the latter
are taken with great activity. The nearest in al-
liance to the Sapajous is the genus Callithrix of Geof-
froy characterised by a facial angle of 60 ; ears pro-
portionally very large ; the body slender ; the tail
longer than the body, entirely hairy, but not prehen-
sile ; the nails straight and raised ; colours of the fur
bright. The type of the genus has been taken by
Geoffroy in the Simla sciurea of Linnseus, which
should now stand as

222 XHE NATUEAL HISTOET OP

THE SIAMIRI.

Cullithrix sciureus. GEOFFROY.

PLATE XXIII.

Simia sciurea, LinncBUS. Siamiri, callithrix sciureus, Geoff roy
Saint Hilaire, Annales du Museum, xix. p. 113 Sagoin
siamiri, Desmaresfs Mammalogie^ p. 87. Le Saimiri, Fre-
deric Cuvier, Histoire Naturelle des Mammiferes.

THIS beautiful and active little animal is scarcely
more than ten inches in length, exclusive of the tail
which is between thirteen and fourteen, and when
seated, the height of the back was only about six.
The upper parts of the body are of a greenish-yellow,
which assumes a grayish tint on the thighs and
arms ; the feet, legs, and fore-arms are reddish chest-
nut, and the lower parts are nearly white. The
muzzle is of a darker colour than the rest of the face,
which, with the ears, is flesh-coloured. The tail is
black at the tip. The nails, except those on the
thumbs, have a somewhat claw-form.

A living specimen, which Frederic Cuvier describes,
from the Royal Gardens, was very playful and good
tempered. It never used its tail for a support, and

CALLITHRIX SCIUREUS.

( The SiaTUH-i.j

Elv^

THE SIAMIBI. 22$

when at rest it was either wound round its body or
limbs ; when sleepy, it kept the tail in this position,
and the head between the forelegs, somewhat in the
manner in which the subject of the following plate
is represented. The Siamiri is a native of Brasil and
Cayenne, and is very often kept by the natives in
confinement. It is a common species, though we
seldom meet with it in collections. *

Another remarkable animal belonging to this group
is mentioned by Humboldt under the name of Maca -
vacakow Simla lugens. It is extremely rare ; one
specimen having only been seen by that naturalist,
who met with it in the forests bordering the Cassi-
quaire and Guaviare. As far as he could learn, it
was one of those few species which live in pairs, and
that opinion is confirmed by the fear and dislike which
it exhibited when placed near even some of the most
diminutive species of the same genus.

It was extremely shy, and only when alone exhi-
bited its activity; when persons were near, though
occupied with general business, it would remain for
hours in immovable attention to all that passed, re-
fusing even food, though it had long fasted. But when
alone, the sight of a bird at once rouses it. It darts
upon it like a cat, swallows it in a second, and
in its whole manner at this time, resembles a small
carnivorous animal.

There are good specimens in the Edinburgh Museum.

224 THE NATUHAL HISTOBT OF

The colour of the body is a shining black, In some
parts with a purplish lustre, and the texture of the
hair is remarkably soft and shining. The face
appears as a square mask of bluish-white, which is
surrounded by a narrow margin of a purer tinge, and
two stripes of the same colour run from the eyes to the
temples ; the throat is marked with a white band,
and the hands are of the same colour on the outsides,
somewhat resembling, and compared by the natives
to a pair of white gloves ; the tail is not much longer
than the body, and not at all used as a prehensile
instrument.

Eight species of this curious little group are de-
scribed, which generally have the same habits, and
show a beautiful gradation of both form and manners
to some of the small carnivora. We are not sure that
this is their proper situation, but prefer following the
arrangement of Geoifroy and Desmarest. Any alter-
ations which we could now make are only upon in-
sufficient grounds.

The next form which succeeds in the system we
have presently adopted, is one of as great singularity,
and is yet represented by a single individual, discovered
by Humboldt ; it is,

A ()!'!: S '\'\i IV INC AT!; S
The Dcmroucouli.

THE DOUEOTJCOULI. 225

THE DOUROUCOULI.

Aotes trivirgatus. HUMBOLDT.
PLATE XXIV.

Lo Dourouconli, Aotes trivirgatus, Humboldt and Bonpland^
Observations de Zoologie^ i. p. 306 ; Geoffroy^ Annales du
Museum d^Histoire Naturelle^ xix. p. 115; Desmaresfs
Mammalogie, p. 88.

THIS curious animal, the only type yet discovered
of the above-mentioned genus, was found during
Humboldt and Bonpland's arduous journey upon the
Oronooko ; 'and, as their descriptions alone exist, we
have made use of the greater part of them in the follow-
ing article, and also of their beautiful plate for the
accompanying illustration. It may be characterised
by the head, large and round; muzzle short; no
apparent external ear ; the eyes very large ; the
tail long, hairy, not prehensile ; habits nocturnal.

The Douroucouli of the Maravitain Indians is
covered with a soft grayish- white fur, having a line
of brown along the centre of the back, from the head
to the tail ; the breast, belly, and inner part of the legs,

226 THE NATURAL HISTORY OF

are yellowish-brown. The head is marked with three
dark stripes, very apparent in front, whence Hum.

boldt takes his name, and the missionaries of the
Oronooko that of " Cara rayada." The general re-
semblance of the face is more like that of a cat than
of a quadrumanous animal ; the eyes are very large,
and of a rich yellow ; the mouth is surrounded with
strong white bristly hairs,. The ears are not apparent
externally ; the inside of tne hands are white, ar.d the
nails are flattened ; the tall is much longer than the
body, of the same colour, except a black tip, bushy
and soft. The whole length of the body is nine
inches; that of the tail about fourteen. The skin
is so soft and pleasant to the touch, that it is o*len pre-
served for different purposes, and particularly for to-
bacco pouches.

The Douroucouli is the only monkey of the
Oronooko which sleeps during the day, wherce it ia
often called " Mono dormillon" Humboldt kept one

THE DOUBOUCOTTLI. 227

alfve for five months, and observed that it slept re-
gularly from nine in the morning to seven at night ;
sometimes its sleep commenced even at daybreak, and
light was always much disliked. When going to sleep,
fo selected the most shady place, behind some wood,
jr in the cleft of a tree, and, like the squirrels and
weasels, had great facility in passing through very
small holes or openings.

When disturbed during the day, it appears almost
in a state of lethargy ; it can scarcely raise its large
white eyelids, and the eyes, which at night resemble
those of an owl, are without lustre. In the ordinary
sleeping position, it seats itself like a dog; the back fc
bent; the four hands brought together, an< the heaa
is almost concealed between them. It is at this time
very stupid ; may be touched without being bit, and
its mouth may even be opened, and the teeth ex-
amined.

But if sluggish during the day, it is restless and all
exertion at night. It now seeks its food ; hunts small
birds and insects, but in addition will eat almost every
kind of vegetable. It was particularly fond of flies,
which it took with great address, and was even tempt-
ed to hunt for them in a dull day. It drunk little,
and would sometimes pass twenty or thirty days with-
out tasting a liquid. Humboldt kept his specimen
in the bedroom, notwithstanding the native opinion
that they will tear out the eyes of persons as.3ep ;
it made extraordinary noises, and jumped against the

228 THE NATURAL HISTOBT OP

walls, most probably in endeavours to escape. The
Douroucouli is taken by the natives during the day
when asleep, and half concealed in a hollow tree ; and
the male and female are sometimes taken in the same
hole, as they resemble the last animal described, and
live in pairs only.

This animal is very difficult to tame ; the one
above alluded to was carried sometimes in a canoe,
sometimes on the back of a sumpter mule ; and al-
though caressed by every body, it constantly bit,
was seldom playful, and seemed continually occupied
with itself. Its nocturnal cry of " Muh-muh" re-
sembled the jaguar of America, and it has received
from this the name of Titi-tigre. The voice is ex-
tremely powerful compared with its size, and consists
in a sort of mewing " e-i-aou," or a very disagreeable
guttural cry of " Quer-quer." When irritated, the
head is swelled, and in its hissing, and the position of
its body, it resembles a cat attacked by a dog; it also
strikes in the same manner with its paw, using it
with great quickness.

This animal was seen by Humboldt in the thick
forests bordering the Cassiquaire, those at the foot of
Mount Duida, and near the Cataracts of the May*
pures.

Such is the substance of Humboldt's description of
this very curious animal, and which recedes even far-
ther from the typical fonns of the quadrumanous
animals than the preceding, and presents a very

T11E DOUROUCOULI. 229

strong alliance with many of the Lemuridce, and some
of the sloth-like animals. The anatomy and skeleton
have not been sufficiently examined, and specimens
will be desiderata with every naturalist who is in-
terested in the History of the Mammaliae.

The next form among the American monkeys is
the Pitkecia of Geoffroy, which are also nocturnal in
their habits, and have received the appellation of
" night apes," and also of " fox-tailed apes," from
the bushy tail. They may be characterised by a facial
angle of 60. Head round ; muzzle short ; canine
teeth longer than the others; the 'ail not pre-
hensile, shorter than the body ard bushy ; the nails
short and bent ; gregarir us ; nocturnal. The first
we shall describe is

230 THE . NATUEAL HISTORY OP

THE COUXIO.

Pithecia satanas. HUMBOLDT.

PLATE XXV.

Lc Couxio, Pithecia satanas, Humboldt and Bonpland* Obser-
vations de Zoologie, p. 314 ; Geoffroy Saint Hilaire^ Annales
du Museum, xix. p. 115. Saki Couxio, Desmaresfs Mam.
malogie, p. 89.

THE Couxio or Couchio was discovered by M. Sieber
in an expedition to Brasil, made at the expense of
Count Hofmannsegg, and described by that nobleman,
with some other animals, in a German periodical.
Humboldt has figured it in his Zoological Observations,
from one of the specimens now alluded to, and that
plate has served also for our illustration ; it is repre-
sented eating the fruit of a species of palm.

The total length of the animal, including the tail,
is about two feet nine inches, and the colour is entire-
ly of a dusky-black, paler beneath, where the hair is
very thin, and shews a purplish tinge, similar to that
of the face and hands. The tail is very bushy ; the
hair of it long and soft. Little is known, except
that it is a native of the forests of Brasil.

Of another species we have more knowledge ; and

THE COUXIO. 231

Humboldt has recorded the history of the " Capuchin
de FOronoque" the P. chiropotes. It is very si-
milar to that just now described, except in colour^
and the plate of the one might serve as an illustration
of the other, if the tints were differently disposed.
The colour is brownish-red, and the hair is long ; the
beard is blackish-brown, arising below the ears, and
covering a part of the breast. The eyes are large and
sunk ; the tail is bushy, as in the last ; the claws are
bent except on the thumbs.

Humboldt has given the following curious account
of its manners : " Of all the monkeys of America, the
Capuchin of the Oronooko has the greatest resemblance
in its features to man. The eyes have a mingled ex-
pression of melancholy and fierceness ; and as the chin
is concealed by a long and thick beard, the facial
angle appears much less than it really is. It is a strong,
active, and fierce animal, and very difficult to tame ;
when irritated, it raises itself upon the posterior ex-
tremities, grinds the teeth, and leaps around the ag-
gressor.

It very seldom drinks, and, when it does so, the
action is performed, not like the other American mon-
keys, which apply their lips to the liquid presented
to them, but, taking the water up in the hollow of
its hand, and inclining the head upon the shoulder, it
carries it to the mouth. The operation is performed
with great deliberation, and the spectator must remain
concealed to witness it. The animal becomes furious

232 THE NATURAL HISTOliY OP

when the beard is wetted ; and Humboldt is of opinion
that the method of drinking has been adopted, from
the impossibility of the lips being applied to the water
in the ordinary way, without wetting the beard.

The Capuchin de I'Oronoque is not gregarious, and
the males are rarely found in company with the female.
Their cry is hoarse and hollow, but is very seldom
heard. They are found in the vast and desert forests
of the High Oronooko, to the south-east of the Cata-
racts, but are rather uncommon ; and although said
to be found in other parts of South America, were
never elsewhere met with by the enterprising na-
turalists to whom we have now been indebted for so
much information.

The next animal we shall mention, has been placed
last in this genus by Desmarest, and seems to ditfer
from the others considerably ; it is,

IA WEJ.AHOCEPHAJ.A.
. Cacaiao

THE CACAJAd. 233

THE CACAJAO.

Pithecia melanocephala DESMAREST.
PLATE XXVI.

Le Cacajao, Simia melanocephala, Humboldt and Bonpland,
Observations de Zoologie, i. pp. 317, 359 ; Geoff roy Saint
Hilaire, Annales du Museum, xix. p. 117 Saki cacajao,
Desmarest's Mammalogie^ p. 91.

THIS very curious and diminutive species was also
discovered by Humboldt and Bonpland, and it is to
their description and plate that we are indebted for all
that is known regarding it. By the different native
tribes it is called as above, and also Caruiri, Mono feo,
C/tacuto, or Mono robon. It is very rare, and a single
individual was only met with by those travellers in
an Indian hut at San Francisco Solano. It is scarcely
more than a foot in length, and the tail is not much
more than a sixth ; and its describer says ' ' it is among
the Siamiris, the Sais, and Quistitis, what the Mayot
of Barbary is among the long-tailed Macaques"

The head of the Cacajao is very round, naked, and
of a dull black, in its physiognomy much resembling
that of an old negro ; the hair on the head is directed
forwards ; the eyes are large and sunk, and the eye-

234} THE NATURAL HISTOET OF

brows are composed of strong bristles ; the nose is flat,
and the separation of the nostrils wide ; there is no
beard ; the ears are bare, and very large ; the body,
with the exception of the head and hands, is clothed
with yellowish-brown, straight, long and shining hair ;
the breast, belly, and insides of the arms, are of a
clearer or lighter tint ; the hands are black, the fingers
very long, the nails flattened ; the tail is thick, of the
same colour with the body, and black at the end.

The Cacajao is a voracious animal, and eats all
kinds of fruit ; it is, however, weak ; very inactive ; of
a mild temper, and easily frightened. It was very
timid in the company of some small Sapajous ; and the
sight of a crocodile or serpent made it tremble violently.
When about to seize any object, it stretches out its
arms in the manner represented on the plate, and holds
it with difficulty from the great length and slenderness
of the fingers. It inhabits the forests of the Cassi-
quaire and Rio Negro, and lives in troops.

We have now reached the group of small animals,
which will conclude the first great division of the
quadrumanous animals, or what generally go under
the title of monkeys ; by Geoffroy they are made to
form a family, which he denominates Arctopitheci,
and divides into two subgenera; the great dis-
tinction is their squirrel-like action, and carnivo-
rous propensities, and in the nails being in the form
of sharp claws * the first genus has been denomi-

THE CACAJAO.

235

nated Hapales ;* from the soft nature of the fur it
may be thus characterised, and differs, as we shall
see in the sequel, very slightly from that which
follows. The facial angle about 50 ; the head round,
most prominent at the occiput ; claws, except on the
thumbs of the posterior extremities ; lower cutting .
teeth unequal and cylindrical. The first species we i
shall notice is,

Dentition of H. jacchus, considerably enlarged.

* A*a\o soft, delicate.

236 THE NATURAL HISTORY OF

THE STRIATED MONKEY.

Hapales jacchus ILLIGER.

PLATE XXVII.

Slmia jacchus, Linnaeus. Sangla.in,Edwards' 1 Gleanings, i.p. 1.*
Jacchus vulgaris, Geoffroy Saint Hilaire, Annales du
Museum, xix. p. 119. Ouistiti, Audibert, Histoire Nafa
relle des Singes ; Frederic Cuvier, Histoire Naturelle de,*
Mammiferes ; Hapales jacchus, Illiger Prodrwas, p. 71
and 72.

THIS beautiful and clean-looking animal is a favou-
rite whenever it happens to be procured, and after a
few hours restraint becomes playful and familiar. It
has been long known to naturalists, and the illustra-
tion taken from Audibert, which accompanies this
description, will give a tolerable idea of its general
appearance.

The length of the body is only about eight inches,
that of the tail above eleven ; the general shade of the
fur is a grayish-olive, darker, and almost approach-
ing to black on the head and shoulders ; and the lower
part of the back and tail are barred or ringed with
circles, of a rich pale gray, which alternately shade
into each other; the lower parts of the body and fore

HAPAI.KS ,i \rcurs.

Tlie StriatedXoTikey.)

THE STEIATED MONKEY. 237

parts of the extremities are brownish-gray. The
face is flesh-colour, and there is a white spot on the
forehead ; but the most conspicuous marking in the
physiognomy of the animal, are two tufts of pale
or grayish white hair, of considerable length, which
spring round each ear. All the claws, except those
on the hinder parts, are hooked, and very thick. It
generally walks in a quadruped position, and uses
the fingers in one direction. In a wild state, the food
may be said to be almost every thing; fruits, roots,
and seeds, insects, and small or young birds. In con-
finement, it is even more varied. Edwards, who has
given us a very good figure of it in his Gleanings, in-
forms us that the specimen from which he made his
drawing, " fed upon biscuits, fruits, greens, insects,
snails, &c. ; and that once when loosed, it suddenly
snatched a Chinese gold fish from a basin of water
killed, and devoured it ; after this, Mrs Kennon, to
whom it belonged, gave it live eels, which frightened
him at first, by twisting round his neck, but he soon
mastered them and ate them."

They breed occasionally in confinement ; Edwards
mentions a pair which had produced young in Portugal,
and Frederic Cuvier had two which bore young in
1819. The female produced three, but very soon
ate off the head of one of them ; in the mean time the
others began to suck, and from the period of their
commencement, she was as affectionate as she was
before careless. The male seemed more affectionate

238 THE NATTTBAL HISTOBT OF

and careful of them than the mother, and assisted in
the charge. The young generally keep upon the
back or under the belly of the female,, and Cuvier
observed, that when the female was tired with carry-
ing them, she would approach the male with a shrill
cry, who immediately relieved her with his hands,
placing the young upon his back, or under his belly,
\vhere they held themselves, and were carried about,
till they became restless for milk, when they were
given over to the mother, who, in her turn, would
again endeavour to get rid of them. Cuvier is of opi-
nion, however, that the general intelligence and pene-
tration exhibited by this animal, is inferior to many
of the smaller monkeys.

In general, the species of this genus have a part of
the body and tail barred with a lighter shade. Some
are again uniform in the colours. One is entirely of
a silvery white, with a black tail, and all the exposed
parts of the skin being a bright red flesh-colour, give
a curious appearance to the animal. It has the com-
mon name of Mico, and will stand as H. argentatus.

Another species without the barring is the H. mela-
nurus, or black-tailed Ouistiti, and which is considered
by Khul to make the passage to the next genus Midas,
or the Tamarins. This is our last genus in this
division, and is characterised nearly as the preceding,
but differs in the dentition ; the lower incisors are
equal, and cut in a sloping direction ; the forehead

l) AS UOS.M.LV

THE SILKY TAMABIff, 239

appears more prominent by the projection of the or -
bits.

One of the allying species is the Midas ursulus of
Geoffroy, which is about the same size with the com-
mon Ouistiti, and has the back undulated with a black
and brown colour, in a somewhat similar manner to
that species ; unlike it, however, this animal was very
ill-natured, and showed his teeth upon the least motion
near him, bit severely, or attempted it, when touched.
One of the most pleasing in appearance is,

THE SILKY TAMARIN.

Midas rosalia. .GEOFFROY.

PLATE XXVIII.

Simla rosalia, Lmncsus The silky monkey, Shaw's Zoology .
Midas rosalia, Geoffroy Saint Hilaire, Annales du Museum,
xix. p. 121. Le marikina, Frederic Cuvier, Histoire Na-
turelle des Mammiferes. Ouistiti marikina, Desmaresfs
Mammalogie, p. 95.

THIS neat little animal is entirely of a clear golden
yellow, palest on the back and thighs. The hair is
very fine and silky, and so long upon the head and
neck as to form a sort of ruffed mane, somewhat simi-
lar to the same part in the lion, and which has gained

240 THE NATURAL HISTORY OP

for it the name of the lion monkey. This species is
often brought to Europe, and its beauty, and mild
temper, and gentleness, render it a general favou-
rite. They are, however, very tender, and the least
damp causes them to droop, and if continued, kills
them. Little is known of their native habits ; but
F. Cuvier thinks that they live a good deal in the
manner of the squirrels, and that they remain
almost constantly on the trees. He has never seen
them attempt to stand upon the hinder extremities.
The accompanying illustration is taken from the plate
of Fred. Cuvier. The next animal we shall de-
scribe is perhaps the smallest monkey known, it i*

THE LEONINE TAMAEIN. 2-11

THE LEONINE TAMARIN.

Midas leonina GEOFFHOY.

PLATE XXIX.

Simla leonina, Leoncito, Humboldt^ Observations de Zooct$ie<
p. 14, plate 5. Tamarin leoncita, Midas leonina, Geoffroy.
Saint Hilaire, Annales du Museum, xix. p. 121. Ouistiu
leoncita, Desmaresfs Mammalogie^ p. 95.

THIS curious little species was discovered by Hum.
boldt and Bonpland during their travels in South
America, and is described in the zoological researches
of these naturalists.

The Leoncito is very rare; it inhabits the plains
which border the eastern slope of the Cordilleras, the
fertile rivers of Putumay and Caqueta. It never
ascends to the more temperate districts, while the
wandering bands of the Marimonda sometimes reach
heights equal to those of the Caingow and Mount
Perdu; it is about seven or eight inches in length.
The Leoncito inhabits only the plains of Mocoa,
and the tail nearly equals the body ; it is extremely
elegant ; it is playful, but easily made angry. When en*

242 THE IEOKIKE TAMAEIK.

raged, or tormented, it bristles up the hair of the neck,
and increases its resemblance to a little lion. Its
activity was great, and when confined in a cage, it
was with difficulty the sketch was made. The cry
resembled the chirrup of some small bird. It was
found to breed occasionally when kept in the Indian
huts.

This is the account, and the only one, of this curious
monkey ; few specimens exist in Europe, and I be-
lieve it has never been seen alive. With it we shall
conclude our review of this interesting section of the
quadrumanous animals, and refer to the Synopsis
which accompanies this volume, for the number and
characters of the species which have been authentically
described. It has been compiled from the works of
Geoifroy, Humboldt, Spix and Martius, and Desma-
rest ; and whatever its imperfections may be, it will,
at least, contain the substance of the researches of
these illustrious zoologists. The remaining family of
the Lemuridce, we shall endeavour to illustrate in a
future volume.

SYNOPSIS.

THE

( UNIVERSITY

SYNOPSIS.

ORDER I. QUADRUMANA.*

Character of Order. Teeth of three kinds, incisor, canine, and
molar, -f Four extremities furnished with long and flexible
hands, having opposahle thumbs, chiefly formed for grasping.
Clavicles complete. Bones of the limbs separate, and capable
of pronation and supination. Pectoral mammae, two or four.
The orbital and t^njoial fossae d.tnn x. The stomach, simple.
Food, fruits, roots, and insects. Habits, chiefly arboreal, living
in forests or craggy precipices. Native countries, the warm
parts of Africa, India, and America.^: Contains two great
families, Simiada and Lemur ida.

SYNOPSIS OF THE SIMJAT.JJ.

I. FAM. SIMIADJE. Four incisive teeth in each jaw opposed.
Nose, more or less prominent. Pectoral mammae, generally
two. (Two sub-families.)

1. SUB. FAM. SIMI;E CATARRHINI, Monkeys of the Old World.
Number of teeth 32. Molar teeth, five on each side, crowned
with blunt tubercles. Nostrils separated by a very narrow
division. The tail never prehensile. With or without cheek-
pouches and callosities. Inhabit the old world only.

* This is the second order of most zoologists,
t The Aye-aye, (Cheiromys, Ctivier,) alone wants the canine teeth.
$ Barbary ape, (Inuus, Cuvier,) alone reaches the southern border of
Europe.

246 SYNOPSIS OF THE SIMIAD2E.

2. SUB. FAM. SIMILE PLATYRRHINI, Monkeys of the JV'ttf
World. Number of teeth 36. Molar teeth on each side
six. Nostrils separated by a broad division. The tail long ;
often prehensile. No cheek pouches or callosities. Inhabit
the warm parts of Southern America.

I. SUB-FAMILY CATARRHINI.

ORANGS.

GENUS I. Troglodites, GEOFFROY.

Muzzle short ; facial angle 50 ; ears large, and lying close to
the head ; arms comparatively short, reaching to the lower part of
\he thighs ; tail, cheek-pouches, and callosities wanting.

* LATE l. A 1. T. NIGER, Black or African Orang Geoff. Ann.

du Mus. xix. 87 ; Desm. Mamm. 49. Hair black, long
and shaggy upon the back and shoulders ; height of the
adults, 5 to 6 feet ; of the young seen in confinement in
Europe, 2 to 3 feet. Inhabits the coasts of Angola and
Congo.

GENUS Il.Pithecus, GEOFFROY.
Muzzle more lengthened \an in the last; facial angle 65;

centre upper cutting teeth double in breadth to those at each side ;

canine teeth in the young not exceeding the others in length ; in

the adults twice as long, straight, and very strong ; ears small ;

arms long ; tail, c^eek-pouches., and callosities wanting.

PLATES II. and II*. 1. P. &ATYRUS, Red or Asiatic Orang..
Geoff. Ann. fv, Mus. xix. p. 33 ; Desm. Mamm. p.
50 ; Abel's EnAass. p. 319 and 365. Hair long and
shaggy, shining i eddish \>rown ; adults very strong and
powerful ; height from 5 to 7 feet ; young seen in coi/fin<>.
ment in Europe from 3 to 4 feet. Inhabits the ir*-^-*

v Refer to plates in this volume.

SYNOPSIS OF THE SIMIAM). 217

forests of Borneo and Eastern Asia. Most prota'bly the
Pongo.

GENUS III Hylobates, ILLIGER.

Muzzle short ; head round ; facial angle 60 ; canine teeth
longer than the others ; arms very long, reaching to the ground ;
tail and cheek-pouches wanting ; with or without naked callosities.

PLATE III. 1. H. HOOLOCK, the Hoolock Simia hoolock,

Harl. Trans, of Am. Phil Soc. Hair deep chocolate
brown ; face surrounded with a pale circle, most distinct
on the forehead ; no callosities. Inhabits Goalpara.

2. H. LAR, Common Gibbon Simia lar, Linn. Pithecus
lar, Geoff*. Ann. du Mus. xix. p. 88 ; Desm. Mamm.
p. 50. Hair black ; the face surrounded with gray ; small
callosities on the buttocks. Inhabits Eastern India, parti-
cularly Coromandel, Malacca, and the Moluccas.

3. H. ALBIMANA,* White-handed Gibbon. Simia albimana,
Vig. and Horsf. Zoo/. Jour. No. xiii. p. 1 07. Hair black ;
the face surrounded with gray ; the four hands whitish.
Inhabits Sumatra.

4.H. VARIEGATUS, Little Gibbon Pithecus variegatus, Geoff.
Ann. du Mus. xix. p. 88 ; Desm. Mamm. p. 51. Hair
gray, varied with brown. Inhabits Malacca.

Differs from the two preceding in the colour of the hair, and its
less size ; hy many considered as a variety only, and not well
established as a species.

5. H. LEUCISCUS. The Ww-wow. Pithecus leuciscus, Geoff
Ann. duMus. xix. p. b3 ; Desm. Mamm. p. 51. Hair
ash gray ; the face black, surrounded by a circle of light

In the text of this volume we have followed Geoffroy Saint Hilaire La
dedicating the entirely black species to Sir Stamford Raffles. It being,
however, the old Linnean, S. lar must stand under that title, and th
epecies with white hands has been named by Messrs Vigors and Horsefield
as above.

218 SYNOPSIS or THE SIHIADJE.

gray; hands, feet, and ears, nearly black; cal.osities large.
Inhabits Malacca and the Sunda-Isles.

PLATE IV. 6. H. SYNDACTYLA. The Siamang. Simla syndactyla,
Kaff, Trans. Lin. Soc. xiii. p. 241; Horsf. Java. Hair black;
neck and upper part of the breast naked, and prominent from
the size of the laryngeal sacks; first and second finger of
lower extremities united to the end of the second phalanx;
callosities none. Inhabits Island of Sumatra.

r**ATE V. 7. H. AQILIS. The Active Gibbon. Fred. Cuv. Mammif.
Hair clear brown, changing to a shining yellow on the back;
white band above the eyes ; face bare, in the male blue, in the
female yellow; callosities small. Lives in troops, and dis-
plays very great agility. Inhabits Sumatra.

GUENONS.

GENUS TV.Presbytis, ESCHSCHOLTZ.
Facial angle 60; cheek-pouches none; callosities distinct; tail
K>ng; arms reaching to the knees.

1. P. MITEULA, the Capped Monkey. Eschsch. in Kotzeb. Voy. of
Discov. Hair curled, above bluish gray, beneath grayish white;
a black line from the upper part of the ears ac*es the head;
length of the body about 1$ foot, tail long. Inhabits Su-
matra.*

GENUS V.Cocobus, ILLIGER.

Muzzle short; nostrils approximated; tail longer than the body;
limbs slender; upper extremities without thumbs.

1. C. POLYCOMUS, Full-bottomed Monkev. Geoff. Ann. du Mus.
xix. p. 92 ; Desm. Mamm. p. 53. Neck with a mane in the form
of a hood, covering the upper part of the back and shoulders,
variegated with black and fawn colour; body deep shining

* From Grimth's Animal Kingdom.

SYNOPSIS OF THE SIMtAM. 249

black; tail pure white. Inhabits the forests of Guinea and
Sierra Leone.

2. C- FEBEUGINOSDS, Bay Monkey. Desm. Mamm ; p. 53. Geoff.

Ann. du Mus. xix. p. 92. Bay Monkey, Penn Quad. Hair ferru-
ginous; crown of the head, hands, and tail black. Inhabits
Guinea.

3. C. TEMMINCEII, Temminck's Colobus. Khul. MSS.; Desm.

Mamm. p. 53. Upper parts, shoulders, and outer part of the
thighs black ; belly yellowish red ; limbs clear red ; face and
tail reddish purple ; length about 2 feet 8 or nine inches, in-
cluding the tail. Native country unknown.

The only specimen known was purchased by M. Temminck,
at the sale of Bullock's collection.

GENUS VI. Nasalis, GEOFFBOY.

Muzzle short; facial angle about 50; the nose unproportionally
lengthened; the nostrils at the extremity, on the under side; the
body very thick; cheek-pouches and callosities; thumbs of anterior
extremities slender ; tail longer than the body.
PLATE VI. L N. LAEVATUS, The Proboscis Monkey. Hair reddish-
brown ; patched on the lower part of the back with lighter
spots ; face black. Inhabits Borneo.

2. N. BECDEVUS, Turned-up Proboscis Monkey. Nasalis recur-
vus, Vig. and Eorsf. ZooL Journ. xiii. p. 110. Hair reddish-
brown, under parts paler; middle of the back and inside of
the limbs gray ; nose turned up. Inhabits Borneo.
Perhaps the young of N. Larvatus.

GENUS VII.Lasiopyga, ILLIGER.

Facial angle from 50 to 60"; the muzzle only slightly elon-
gated; face bare; hands longer than the fore-arm ; thumbs on the

250 SYNOPSIS OF THE 8IMIADJ3.

anterior extremities short and slender; cheek-pouches; tali iong;

no callosities ; the huttocks fringed with hair.

PLATE VII 1. L. NEMEA, Cochin-China Monkey Pygathrix,
Geoff. Ann. du Mus. xix. p. 90. Guenon Douc, Desm.
Mamm. 54. Hair of hrilliant colours ; upper part of the
head brown, with a frontal band of deep chestnut ; hair of
the cheeks very long, dirty white ; fore-arms white, extend-
ing to the thumbs and fingers, which are black ; tail white.
Inhabits Cochin-China. (Madagascar, according to Har-
court.)

GENUS VIII. Semnopithecus, CUVIER.
Head round ; nose flat ; facial angle 45 ; limbs long ; thumbs
of anterior extremities very short ; cheek-pouches and naked cal-
losities ; tail very long and thin ; posterior grinder of the lower
jaw with five points ; form slender. India and Indian Archipelago.
PLATE VIII. 1. S. MELALOPHOS, the Simpai. Fred. C\tv.
Mammif. Simia melalophos, Raff. Trans. Lin. Soc. xiii.
The face blue ; forehead with a black band of long hairs, in
the form of a tuft or crest ; the hair of the upper parts clear
red-brown ; beneath, and in the inside of the limbs, tawny
and whitish. Inhabits Island of Sumatra.
2. S. MAURUS, Negro Monkey. Middle- size Black Monkey,
Edw. Glean. S. maurus, Horsf. Hair soft and silky,
intensely black ; the breast, belly, inner surface of extre-
mities and root of the tail, gray ; in very old individuals,
crown and upper parts tinged with gray. Inhabits Island
of Java.

PLATE IX. 3. S. ENTELLUS, the Entellus Monkey. Entelle,
Audeb. Cercopithecus entellus, Geoff. Ann. du Mus., xix.
95. Hair yellowish- white, paler beneath ; face and hands
black.. Inhabits Bengal.

4. S. PYRRHUS, the Lutung. Horsf. Java. Hair soft and
silky ; above, shining red ; beneath, and inside the limbs,

SYNOPSIS OF THE SIMIAD2B. 251

fawn coloured, inhabits Java. (Allied to Cercopfthecus

auratus.)
5. S. PRTJINOSVS. Desm. Mamm. Sup. p. 533. Hair black,

mixed with white, without a white spot at the origin of the

tail, as in S. maurus : tail brown. Inhabits Sumatra.

(Allied to S. maurus.)
6. S. COMATUS. Desm. Mamm. Supp. p. 533. Hair above

gray, beneath whitish ; tail tipped with white ; hair of the

crown black, long, forming an aigrette behind, and conceal.

ing the ears* Inhabits Sumatra.

GENUS IX Cercopithecus, GEOFFROY.
The head round ; forehead receding ; facial angle 50 ; no
superciliary ridges; nose flat; cheek-pouches and callosities ; tail
longer than the body. Africa and India.

1 . C. AURATUS, Golden Guenon. -Geoff. Ann. du Mus. xix.
p. 93. Desm. Mamm. p. 56. Above, golden yellow ;
beneath, paler ; black spot upon the knee ; hair of the
breast and cheeks long. Inhabits India and Molucca.

2. C. TALAPOIN, the Talapoin Monkey Penn. Quad. 206.

Geoff. Ann. du Mus. xix. p. 93. Hair above, olive ;
beneath, yellowish- white ; feet black. Inhabits India, ac-
cording to Buffon. (Described from Buffon. Supposed by
F . Cuvier to be the young of Cercocebus cynosurus.)

3. C. LATIBARBUS, Purple-faced Bearded Monkey Desm.
Mamm. p. 57. Guenon a face pourpre, Buff. Sirnia
dentata, Shaw. Adult, hair woolly, black ; a large beard
extending laterally ; tail tufted at the end. Young, hair
entirely red. Native country unknown.

4. C. CEPHU, Mustache Monkey Sraiia cephus, Linn.

Guenon moustac, Desm. Mamm. p. 57. Hair greenish-
brown, (according to Geoff, reddish-brown ,) latter half of
the tail white ; nose and lips blue. Inhabits Guiuea,

252 SYNOPSIS OF THE SIMIADJE.

6. C. PILEATUS, Bonneted Monkey Simia pileata, Shaw.
Guenon couronnee, Desm. Mamm. p. 57. Hair above
brownish-yellow ; beneath whitish ; forehead adorned with
long hairs erect in a tuft. Native country unknown.
(Allied to Cercocebus sinicus.)

PLATE X. C. MONA, Varied Monkey Simia mona, Linn.

Guenon mone, Desm. Mamm. p. 58. Upper part of
the head, bright yellowish-green ; hair of the cheeks yellow :
body deep chestnut, a white spot on each buttock. Native
country uncertain, most probably Africa.

7. C. NICTITANS, White-nosed Monkey. Guenon hocheur,
Desm. Mamm. p. 58. Le hocheur, Audeb. Body black,
sprinkled with greenish-gray ; extremities black above ;
lower part of the chin white ; nose more than usually
long, white. Inhabits the coast of Guinea.

8. C. PETAURISTA, Vaulting Monkey. Simia petaurista,
Linn. Le blanc nez, and ascagne, Audeb. Hair above
reddish, white below ; outer part of the extremities green-
ish, inside gray ; lower part of the nose white. Inhabits
coast of Guinea.

PLATE XI 9. C. RUBER, the Red Monkey. Red monkey,
Penn. Guenon patas, Desm. Mamm. 9 p. 59. Above
reddish, gray beneath ; hair of the cheeks long ; a narrow
.band above the eyes black. Inhabits Senegal.

10. C. DIANA, Diana or Palatine Monkey Simia Diana,
Linn. Exquina, Margrave. Guenon Diane, Desm.
Mamm. p. 60. Hair of a deep chestnut on the back, dark
gray on the flanks, with an oblique light line on the thighs ;
forehead adorned with a white crescent-shaped band ; chin
and throat white. Inhabits Congo and the Guinea coast.

11. C. ALBOCINEREUS, Grey guenon. Guenon grisblanc,
Desm. Mamm. Supp. p. 534. Hair gray a*>ove, lower
parts whitish ; a band of black crosses the forehead ; ex-
tremities black ; tail brown. Inhabits Island of Sumatra.

SYNOPSIS OF THE SIMIAPJ33. 253

12. C. PYGERYTHRJEUS, Rcd-oreasted Monkey. F. Cuv.
Mammif. Guenon Vervet., Desm. Mamm. Supp. p. 534.
Above greenish-gray ; beneath white ; hair round the
anus dull reddish ; tail tipped with black. Inhabits the
Cape of Good Hope.

GENUS XII Cercocebus, GEOFFROY.

The muzzle lengthened ; the forehead receding : facial angle
about 45 ; large cheek-pouches ; callosities large ; tail longer than
the body. Africa and India.

PLATE XIII 1. C. SABJEUS, the Callitrix or Green Monkey. Si-

mia sabea, Linn. Guenon callitriche, F. Cuv. Mammif. ;
Desm. Mamm. p. 61. Singe vert, Geoff. Ann. du Mus.
xix. p. 97. Above olive-green ; shaded beneath from
yellowish-green to white ; face black, surrounded with
long hair. Inhabits Cape de Verd islands, Senegal, the
Mauritius.

2. C. CYNOSURUS, the Malbrouk. Guenon Malbrouck,
F. Cuv. Mammif. Desm. Mamm. p. 60. Cercopithe-
cus cynosurus Malbrouc, Geoff. Ann. du Mus. xix. 96.
Above olive-brown, shading to whitish on the under parts ;
a white band above the eyes. Inhabits Bengal.

3. C. GRISEO VIRIDIS, the Grivet. Le Grivet, F. Cuv.
Mammif. Guenon grivet, Desm Mamm. p. 61. Grayish
green, paler beneath ; tail gray for the whole length. In-
habits Africa. (Allied to the two preceding species.)

PLATE XII. 4. C. FULIGINOSUS, Mangabey or White Eyelid
Monkey. Le Mangabey, F. Cuv. Mammif. Guenon
enfumee, Geoff. Ann. du Mus. xix. 97 ; Desm. Mamm.
p. 62, Entirely of a gray sooty black, paler beneath ; the
upper eyelids white and conspicuous. Inhabits Ethiopia.
5. C. JETHIOPS, White Collared Mangabey. Cercocebe man-
gabey, Geoff. Ann. du Mus. xix. p. 97. Guenon mangi.
bey, Desm, Mamm. p. 62. The crown chestnut-brown^

254 SYNOPSIS OF THE SIMIAD-D.

the upper parts purplish brown ; a white band surrounding
the back of the neck. Inhabits Ethiopia.
6. C. ATYS, the Atys. Simia atys, Audeb. Atys, Geoff.
Ann. du Mus. xix. p. 99. Guenon atys, Desm. Mamm.
p. 62. Entirely of a yellowish- white ; the naked parts of
the skin flesh-coloured. (By Geoffroy it is said to be an
albino variety of some unknown species, and to inhabit
India.)

GENUS XIII. Macacus, LACKPEDE.
Facial angle about 40 or 45 ; muzzle elongated ; superciliary

ridges distinct ; canine teeth strong and large (longer than in the

preceding genus ;) the tail shorter than the third of the length of

the body, or more ; the form strong and compact.

PLATE XIV. 1. M. SILENUS, the Ouanderow. Simia canina,
Penn. Macaque a criniere, Cuv. Reg. An. Papio silenus,
Geoff. Ann. du Mus. xix. p. a OO. Macaque ouanderow t
Desm. Mamm. p. 63. Above bla^V ; the hair of the back
of the neck long, and, with the beard, Arming a thick ruff,
gray ; under parts gray ; tail ending wiw a tuft of hairs.
Inhabits the Island of Ceylon.

2. M. SINICUS, Chinese Monkey. Simia sinica, Linn. Bon-
net-chinois, Audeb. Cercocebe bonnei^chinois, Geoff.
Ann. du Mus. Xix. p. 64. Macaque bonnekchinois, Desm.
Mamm. p. 64. Chestnukbrown, paler beneath ; hair of
the crown long, and spreading out from the centre to the
sides. Inhabits Bengal and Ceylon.

3. M. RADIATUS, the Toque Cercocebe toque, Geoff. Ann.
du Mus. xix. p. 98. Macaque toque, Desm. Mamm p. 64.
Above greenish-brown ; beneath gray ; hair of the crown
long, and spreading out from the centre to the sides. In-
habits India.

Nos. 2 and 3 are closely allied to Cercocebus, and their station TOL
the System does not seem clearly established. They are In-
teresting forms, and ought to be kept in view by tho ""oologist.

SYNOPSIS OF THE SIMIADJ3. 255

4. M. CYNOMOLOGUS, Hare-lipped Monkey Cercocebe aig-
rette and macaque, Geoff. Ann. du Mus. xix. p. 99.
Macaque, Cuv. Hist. Nat. des Mammif. Macaque
ordinaire, Desm. Mamm. p. 62. The male, above olive,
beneath grayish-white ; feet black ; canine teeth strong ,
length, including tail, 3 feet 3 inches. The female less ;
canine teeth weaker ; hair of the crown directed towards
the centre, and forms a ridge or tuft to the occiput. In-
habits Guinea and interior of Africa, Desm. Java, Geoff.
VIGNETTE. 5. M. RHESUS, Rhesus Monkey or Pig-tailed Baboon.
Magot rhesus, Inuus rhesus, Geoff. Ann. du Mus.
xix. p. 101; F. Cuv. Hist. Nat. des Mammif. Ma-
caque maimon, Desm. Mamm. 66. " Upper part of
the body grayish-green ; tail short, and wrinkled at the
base; buttocks golden-yellow ; extremities gray." Dem.
Inhabits Eastern India, and forests on the banks of the
Ganges.

6. M. NEMESTRINA, Brown Baboon Maimon, Inuus nemes-

trinus, Geoff. Ann. du Mu*. xix. p. 101. Macaque brun,
Desm. Mamm. p. 66. '* Above deep brown ; middle of
the head and a dorsal band black ; tail small and slender,
reaching to the middle of the thigh ; extremities and head
yellowish." Desm. Inhabits Java-and Sumatia.
The Synonymy of Nos. 5 and 6 have often been confounded. Their
situation, is undetermined. Geoffrey places them with the
Barbary Ape, so does Mr Gray, rejecting entirely Cuvier'a
genus Inuus. We have followed Desmarest, as most in ac-
cordance with our own opinion

There are, it is probable, other amed species which have not been
properly characterised. Desmarest mentions one above two
feet in length; the back above brownish-black ; the shoulders
olive ; the outer surface of the fee', yellowish-gray ; under part
of the throat grayish- white belly yellowish; ears small,
white hairs behind each,

7. M. NIGFR, Black Baboon -Cynocephale negre, Desm.
Mamm. Snpp. p. 534. Black ape,'Macacus niger, Zoo/.

256 SYNOPSIS OF THE SIMIADJE.

Gardens, i. p. 169. Entirely black ; fur woolly ; the
hair on the head long, falling back, and forming a crest ;
tail a tubercle. Inhabits islands of Indian Archipelago.
Desm.
Differs from the type in the elongation of the muzzle, and want

of tail ; by the former allied to the baboons, by the latter to

the next genus Inuus.

GENUS XIV. Inuus^ CUVIER.

Facia, angle about 40 ; muzzle elongated ; the hands length-
ened ; tail none, or a tubercle.

PLATE XV. 1. I. SYLVANUS, Barbary Ape Simia intius, Linn>
Magot African, Geoff. Ann. du Mus. xix. p. 100. Magot,
F. Cuv. Hist. Nat. des Mammif. Macaque magot,
Macacus inuus, Desm. Mamm p. 67. Above greenish,
gray ; paler underneath and in the inner sides of the limbs.
Tail a short cutaneous tubercle.

BABOONS.
GENUS ; XV. Cynocephalus, BRISSOW.

Facial angle from 30 to 35 ; superciliary ridges prominent ;
muzzle long, truncated at the end where the nostrils are placed ;
tail as long as the body.

1. C. BABUIN, Little Baboon. Petit papion, Buff. Papion
cynocephale, Geoff. Ann. du Mus. xix. p. 102. Ba-
buin, F. Cuv. Hist. Nat. des Mammif. Cynocephale
babuin, Desm. Mamm. p. 68. Male, above yellowish-green,
beneath paler ; the face livid ; cartilage of the nostrils not
longer than the upper jaw. Female unknown. Inhabits
Northern Africa.

2, C. PAPIO, Guinea Baboon Papion, Audeb. Papio sphinx,
Geoff. Ann. du Mus. xix. p. 103. Cynocephale papion,
Desm. Mamm. p. 69. Above brown, paler beneath ;
cheeks yellowish ; face, ears, and hands, black ; cartilage

SYNOPSIS OF THE SIMIA.DJE. 257

of the nostrils longer than the jaws. In the young the
muzzle is shorter. Inhabits the coast of Guinea.
PLATE XVI 3. C. PORCARIUS, the Chacma. Simia porcaria,
Linn. Papio porcarius and comatus, Babuin pore and
chevelu, Geoff. Ann. du Mus. xix. p. 102 and 103.
Chacma, F. Cuv. Hist. Nat. des Mammif. Cynocephaie
chacma, Desm. Mamm. p. 69. Simia ursina, Penn.
Greenish-black, palest on the fore part of the shoulders ;
hair long upon the neck, in the form of a mane ; face
violet black ; upper eyelids white. Female without the
mane. Inhabits Southern Africa, Cape of Good Hope.
4. C. HAMADRYAS, Dog-faced Baboon. Simia hamadryas,
Linn. Dog-faced ape, Penn. Tartarin, Geoff. Ann. du
Mus. xix. p. 103 ; F. Cuv. Hist. Nat. des Mammif.
Cynocephaie tartarin, Desm. Mamm. p. 69. Blackish-
gray tinged with brown ; hair of the fore parts long, forming
a shaggy mane ; face flesh colour. Female and young with
short muzzles, coloured blue. Inhabits Moco, border*
of the Persian Gulf, Arabia.

GENUS XVI. Papio, BRISSON.

Proportions much stronger than Cynocephali, and distinguished
from them by the tail being very short, almost a tubercle, and
perpendicular to the dorsal line. Dentition very powerful.
PLATE XVII. 1. P. MORMON, the Mandril. Simia mormon,

Linn. Variegated Baboon, Penn. Mandril, Geoff. Ann.

du Mus. xix. p. 104 ; F. Cuv. Hist. Nat. des Mammif.

Cynocephaie mandril, Desm. Mamm. p. 70. Yellowish.

olive, tinged with gray above, beneath white ; beard yellow ;

muzzle furrowed ; livid, but bright red and blue. In the

young the furrows do not appear. Inhabits Africa, on the

Gold and Guinea coast.
PLATE XVIII &. P. LEUCOPHJEUS, the Drill. Simia leucophaea,

F. Cuv. Ann. du Mus. ix. ; Hist. Nat. des Mammif

258 SYNOPSIS OF THE SIHIAD^E.

Cynocephale drill, Desm. Mamm. p. VI. Above greenish-
brown tinged with gray, beneath white. Face of males,
females, and young, uniform dull black. Under lip red.
No furrows on the muzzle. Inhabits Africa.
We have deviated from the text of the volume in dividing the
Cynocephali. Though very closely allied, and by most writers
united either under Cynocephalus or Papio, they are always
divided into sections, and we generally prefer an entire separa-
tion to divisions of that kind.

One or two baboons are mentioned by Pennant upon dubious
authority, which it is not necessary to introduce here, as proper
characters could not be given.

II. SUB-FAMILY PLATYRRHINI.

HOWLERS.
GENUS XVII. Mycetes, ILLIGER.

Facial angle about 30 ; canine teeth strong ; tail long, prehen-
sile, naked at the extremity on the under side ; os hyoides ventri-
cose, apparent on the outside ; gregarious ; howling during night ;
largest and fiercest of the South American group.

1. M. SENICULUS, the Mono Colorado, or Red Howler..
Simia seniculus, Linn. Stentor seniculus, Geoff. Ann. du
Mus. xix. p. 107. Mono Colorado, Humb. Obs. Zoo/, p.
354. Alouate roux, Desm, Mamm. p. 77. Fur reddish-
brown, brightest on the tail and extremities ; under parts
nearly hairless ; face naked and black. Inhabits French
Guiana, banks of the rivers Madeleine and Darien.
PLATE XIX 2. M. URSINUS, the Araguato Stentor ursinus,
Geoff. Ann. du Mus. xix. p. 108. Araguato de Caraccas,
Humb. Obs. Zoo/, pp. 329 and 355. Alouate ourson,
Desm. Mamm. p. 78. Entirely reddish-brown, and clothed
with long hair on every part ; bearded ; face bluish-black.
Inhabits Venezuela, New Barcelona, banks of the Oronooko.
Differs from the preceding in the hair being very long, and in being
clothed on the under parts.

SYNOPSIS OF THE SIMIAIXE. 2i>.)

3. M. STRAMINEUS, the Arabata Stentor stramincus, Geoff.
Ann. du Mus. xix. p. 108 ; Humb. Obs. ZooL p. 355.
Alouate arabate, Desm. Mamm. p. 78. Hair entirely
straw-yellow, darker, or of a brownish colour at the roots.
Inhabits Peru.

4. M. BELZEBUTH, the Guariba. Siraia Bclzebuth, Linn.
Stentor fuscus, Geoff. Ann. du Mus. xix. p. 108.
Stentor guariba, Humb. Obs. Zool p. 355. Alouate
guariba, D<:sm. Mamm. p. 78. Brownish-chestnut, pas*,
ing into chestnut on the head and back ; the tips of the
hair golden colour. Inhabits Brasil.

5. M. FLAVICAUDATUS, the Chora Stentor flavicaudatus,
Geoff. Ann. du Mus. xix. 108. Simia flavicauda, Chora,
Humb. Obs. ZooL p. 343 and 355. Alouate chora,
Desm. Mamm. p. 79. Brownish-black, darker on the
back ; tail blackish-olive, adorned on the siIes v/ith two
yellow stripes. Ir&^jiits the province of Jaen, banks of
the river Amazon.

6. M. NIGER, the Caraya Stentor niger, Geoff. Ann. du
Mus. xix. 108. Simia caraya, Humb. Obs. Zool.
p. 355. Alouate caraya, Desm. Mamm. p. 79. Rich
shining black ; tail rather short ; female and young with
the sides and under parts yellowish-brown. Inhabits Para-
guay, Bahia.

7. M. RUFIMANUS, Red-Handed Howler Mycctes rufi-

manus, KhulMSS. ; Desm. Mamm. p. 79. Black; wrists
and hands, and extreme half of the tail, reddish-brown ;
lower parts nearly without hair. Native country unknown.

The description of this species is only known from the MSS. of
Khul, taken from a specimen purchased by M. Temmink at
the dispersion of Bullock's Museum.

260 SYNOPSIS OF THE SIMIAD^I.

SAPAJOUS.

GENUS XVIII Aides, GEOFFROY.

Head round ; facial angle about 60 ; extremities proportionally
very long and slender ; the anterior hands with four ringers, or thft
thumb supplied by a rudiment only ; tail very long ; powerfully
prehensile, having a part without hair, covered with a very delicate
and sensible skin on the under side ; os hyoides large, but not
apparent from the outside ; habits and movements slow and
indolent.

1. A. HYPOXANTHUS, the Miriki Atele hypoxanthe, Desm.
Mamm. p. 72. Of a yellowish-gray ; vent and base of
the tail often reddish-yellow ; face flesh-colour ; thumb
a short rudiment, furnished with a nail, Inhabits Brasil
between the 13 and 23 of S. latitude.

2 A, SUBPENTADACTYLUS, the Chameck Atele chameck,

Geoff. Ann. du Mus. xix. 105 ; vii. 267 ; Desm.
Mamm. p. 73. Chameck, Humb. Obs. Zool. p. 353.
Entirely black ; thumb a rudiment, without a nail. Inhabits
French Guiana and Peru.

PLATE XX. 3. A. PANISCUS, the Coaita. Simia paniscus, Linn.
Atele paniscus, Geoff. Ann. duMus. xix. p. 105 ; vii. 269.
Atele coaita, Desm. Mamm. p. 73. Coaita, Humb.
Obs. Zool. i. p. 352 ; Fred. Cuv. Hist. Nat. des Mam-
mif. Entirely black ; thumb wanting on the anterior ex-
tremities. Inhabits Guiana, Brasil.

Distinguished from the last by the less size, and want of the
thumb on the anterior hands.

4. A. BELZEBUTH, the Marimonda Geoff". Ann. du Mus.
xix. p. 106 ; vii. p. 271. Atele belzebuth, Desm. Mamm.
p. 74. Marimonda de POronoque, Humb. Obs. Zool.
i. pp. 327, 353. Dusky black, under parts yellowish-
white in the males ; white in the female and young. In-
habits banks of Oronooko.

5. A. MARGJNATUSjthe Chuva. Geoff". Ann duMus. xiii.

SYNOPSIS OF THE SIMIAM. 2G1

p. 90 ; xix. p. 106. A tele chuva, Desm. Mamm. p. 75.
Chuva, Humb. Obs. Zool. p. 354. Black: face surrounded
with white or yellowish ; breast and insides of the limbs
grayish-white. Inhabits province of Jaen, banks of the
rivers Santiago and Amazons.

6, A. ARACHNOIDES, Spider Monkey Geoff. Ann. du
Mus. xiii. p. 90 ; xix. p. 109. Simia arachnoides, Humb.
Obs. Zool. p. 354. Atele arachnoide, Desm. Mamm.
p. 75. Grayish-yellow ; fur very soft ; eyebrows black.
Inhabits Brasil.

7. A. MELANOCHIR, Black-Handed Coaita. Atele melono-
chiere, Desm. Mamm. p. 76. Gray ; upper part of the
head, hands, and an oblique spot upon the knees, brownish-
black. Native country unknown.

Described by Desmarest, from a specimen in the Collection at
Paris.

GENUS XIX. Lagothrix, HUMBOLDT.

Head round ; facial angle about 50 ; hands with five fingers ;
tail strongly prehensile, naked and callous on the under side of the
extremity ; os hyoides slightly apparent on the outside.

1. L. HUMBOLDTII, theCapparo. Simia lagotricha, le capparo
du Rio Guaviare, Humb. Obs. Zool. i. pp. 322, 354.
Lagothrix Humboldtii, Geoff. Ann. duMus. xix. p. 107.
Lagotriche capparo, Desm. Mamm. p. 76. Grayish-
black; hair long and soft. Inhabits banks of the
Guaviare.

2. L. CANUS, Gray Lagothrix Geoff. Ann. du Mus. xix.
p. 107. Lagotriche grison, Desm. Mamm. p. 77. Grayish-
olive ; head, hands, and tail, reddish-gray ; the hair ?ery
short. Inhabits Brasil.

GENUS XX. Cebus, XERLEBEN.

The head round \ muzzle short ; facial angle about 60 ; os
kyoides email ; hands, with a lengthened well-formed thumb ; tail

262 SYNOPSIS OP THE SIMTABJ!.

long, prehensile, entirely covered with hair; gregarious ; habits
lively, active.

1. C. APELLA, the Weeper Sapajou Simia apella, Linn.

Sajou, Audeb. Sajou hrun, Geoff. Ann. du Mus. xix.
p. 109. Sapajou sajou, Desm. Mamm. p. 81. Deep
brown above, of a clearer and lighter shade beneath ; crown,
feet, and tail, blackish-brown ; face generally surrounded
with a lighter shade. Inhabits Guiana. (Not found in
Brasil, (P. Maximilien.}

This species is subject to considerable variety in the shade of
the colours.

2. C. ROBUSTUS. Prince Maximilien's Sapajou Sapajou
robuste, Desm. Mamm. p. 80. Brown ; upper part of
the head, neck, and a circle round the face, black ; arms
clear yellowish ; fore part of the neck and belly in the
male chestnut-red ; in the young and females, yellowish
or fawn colour. Inhabits Brasil. (Does not pass the river
Doce to the South P. Maximilien.')

3. C. GRISEUS, Gray Sapajou. Sapajou gris, Desm. Mamm.
p. 81. Sajou, F. Cuvier, Hist. Nat. des Mammif.
Above yellowish-brown, mingled with gray ; below of a
clear fawn colour ; crown black ; face surrounded with
black ; sometimes white upon the neck and breast. In-
habits Guiana.

A variety is described by Desmarest with the upper parts yellow-
ish-brown, paler beneath ; crown black ; sides of the head, an-
terior part of forearms, neck, and breast, white ; face flesh-colour.
This is described from a single specimen, not adult, and most
probably distinct, the markings being so different.

4. C. BARBATUS, Bearded Sapajou. Cebusalbus, Geoff, Ann.
du Mus. xix. p. 112. Sapajou barbu, Desm. Mamm.
p. 82. Grayish-red ; under parts reddish ; beard lengthen-
ed upon the cheeks, dark chestnut ; hair long and crisp.
Inhabits Guiana.

Varies according to age to gray and white. We have followed
Desmarest in considering Geoffrey's Cebus albus as one of the
above varieties.

BTNOPSIS OF THE SIMIADJE. 2G3

& C. TREPIDUS, Tufted-tailed Sapajou. Simla trepftfa, Linn.
Cebus frontatus, Kuhl. Cebus trepidus, Sajou tremblens,
Geoff. Ann du Mus. xix. p. 110. Sapajou coeffe, Desm.
Mamm. p. 82. Nearly of a uniform black shade ;
dusky on the head and extremities ; scattered white hairs
around the mouth and upon the anterior hands ; hair of
the forehead raised. Inhabits Dutch Guiana. Geoff.

6. CEBUS NIGER, Negro sapagou. Cebus niger, Sajou
negre, Geoff. Ann du Mus. xix. p. 111. Sapajou negre,
Desm. Mamm. p. 83. Deep brown ; face, hands, and
tail black ; forehead and cheeks mixed with yellowish hairs.
Native country unknown.

7. CEBUS VARIEGATUS, the Varied Sapajou. Cebus variega-
tus, Geoff. Ann. du Mus. xix. p. 111. Simia variega-
tua, Humb. Obs. Zool. i. p. 356. Sapajou varie, Dfsm.
Mamm. p. 83. Body blackish, sprinkled with golden-
yellow ; hair very soft, long, and of three colours brown
at the root, red, and black. Inhabits Brasil Geoff.

The hair of this monkey resembles that of the true Guenons in
the variation of colour.

8. CEBUS FLAVUS, Yellow Sapajou. Simia flava, Schrceber.
Sajou flave, Cebus flavus, Geoff. Ann. du Mus. xix. p.
112. Sapajou fauve, Cebus fulvus, Desm. Mamm.
p. 83. General colour dull yellowish-brown, tinged with
gray and brown on the head ; the hair silky and straight ;
young with the head, tail, and limbs, chestnut-red. In-
habits Brasil.

9. CEBUS ALBIFRONS, the Ouavapavi. Ouavapavi, Simia
albifrons, Humb. Obs. Zool. i. p. 323, 356. Cebus albi-
frons, Geoff. Ann. du Mus. xix. p. 111. Sapajou oua-
vapavi, Desm. Mamm. p. 83. Gray ; lighter on the
under parts ; crown black ; forehead and orbits white
brownish-yellow. Inhabits banks of Oronooko* near
Cataracts.

264 SYNOPSIS OF THE SIMIADJB.

10. CEBITS LUNATUS, Lunulated Sapajou. Cebus : ';--witu<*,
Kuhl, Sapajou lunulc, Desm. Mamm. p. 84. Black ;
a spot in the form of a crescent on each cheek, from the
eyebrow to the mouth. Native country unknown.

Described by Kuhl from a specimen in the Academy of Heidel-
berg.

11. CEBUS XANTHOSTERNOS, Yellow-breasted Sapajou. Sa-
pajou a poi trine jaune, Desm. Mamm. p. 84. Chest-
nut ; face and forehead yellowish-white ; breast and lower
part of the neck clear yellowish-red. Inhabits Brasil,
between the 15 S. and the river Belmont. Desm.

PLATE XXI 12. C. FATUELLUS, Horned Sapajou. Simla
fatuellus, Linn. Sajou cornu, Audeb. Hist. Nat. des
Singes ; Geoff. Ann. du Mus. xix. p. 109 ; F. Cuv.
Hist. Nat. des Mammif. Sapajou cornu, Desm. Mamm.
p. 84. Deep blackish-brown, face surrounded with whitish ;
hair of the front rising in two lengthened tufts above the
eyebrows. Inhabits Guiana.
Is closely allied to C. robustus, and united with it by Humboldt

Subject to considerable variety.

33. C. CIRRIFER, Crowned Sapajou. Sajou a toupet, Geoff.
Ann. du Mus. xix. p. 110. Simia cirrifera, Humb. Obs.
Zoo/, i. p. 356. Sapajou a toupet, Desm. Mamm.
p. 84. Brownish-chestnut ; crown, extremities, and tail,
of a deeper tint, approaching black ; a tuft of hairs- on the
highest part of the forehead. Inhabits Brasil.
14. C. CAPUCHINUS, Capuchin sapajou Simia capuchina,
Linn. ; Humb. Obs. Zoo/, i. p. 354. Sajou sai, Geoff.
Ann. du Mus. xix. p. 111. Sapajou sai, Desm. Mamm.
p. 85. Varying from grayish-brown to olive ; crown and
extremities black ; front, cheeks, and shoulders whitish
Inhabits Guiana.

Varies considerably. Hands sometimes of the same colour witb
the body.

15 C. HYPOLEUCUS, White-throated Sapajou. Sai a gorgf

SYNOPSIS OF THE SIMIAD^!. 265

blanche, Audeb. Simla hypoleuca, Cariblanco, Humb.
Obs. Zool. p. 356. Sapajou gorge blanche, Desm. Mamm.
p. 85. Black ; front, sides of the head, throat, and shoulders,
white. Inhabits Guiana.

PLATE XXII. 16. C. MONACHUS, Large-headed Sapajou Le

sai* a grosse tete, Cebus monachus, F. Cuv. Hist. Nat. des
Mammif. A mixture of black and brown, irregularly
disposed, covers the back and sides ; breast, belly, sides of
the cheeks, and anterior part of arm, whitish-orange ; fore
arms, thighs, and tail, black ; a short black beard ; head
large. Native country unknown.

Sometimes varied on the upper parts with white. Described by
F. Cuvier from a living specimen.

GENUS XXI Caltithrix, OGVIER.

The head round ; muzzle short ; facial angle about 60. Separa-
tion of the nostrils narrower than the range of the upper cutting
teeth ; tail long, entirely hairy, not prehensile ; nails straight,
raised, and somewhat claw-like. Animals of small size.
PLATE XXIII 1. C. SCIUREUS, Squirrel callithrix, or Siamiri.
Simia sciurea, Linn. ; Siamiri, Audeb. ; F. Cuv. Hist
Nat. ; Desm. Mamm. Titi de TOronoque, Humb. Obs.
Zool. i. 322 and 257. Sagoin siamiri, Desm. Mamm.
p. 86. Grayish-biown, with a black muzzle ; extremities
bright reddish ; length of the body seven inches ; tail be-
tween thirteen and fourteen. Inhabits Brasil, Cayenne.
Varies in being entirely of one shade of brown, and with the
back bright reddish and black.

2. C. PERSONATUS, Masked callithrix Callithrix a masque,

Geoff. Ann. du Mus. xix. p. 113. Simia personaia,
Humb. Obs. Zool. i. p. 357. Sagoin a masque, Desm.
Mamm. p. 86. Grayish-yellow ; head and the four hands
black ; tail reddish. Inhabits Brasil between the 18 and
21 of south latitude.

266 SYNOPSIS OF THE SIMIADJ3

3 C. LUGENS, Mourning callifhrix. Veuve, Geoff. Ann. dtt
Mus. xix. p. 113. La viduita de 1'Oronoque, Humb.
Obs. Zoo/, i. p. 319 357. Sagoin veuve, Desm. Mamm.
p. 87. Black ; throat and anterior hands wiiite ; tail
scarcely longer than the body. Inhabits banks of tho rivers
Guaviare and Cassiquaire. Not gregarious.

4. C. AMICTUS, Ruffed callithrix Callithrix a fraise, Geoff.
Ann. du Mus. xix. 114. Simia amicta, Humb. Obs.
Zool. p. 357. Sajou a fraise, Desm. Mamm. p. 87.
Brownish-black ; throat white ; anterior hands dusky yel-
low ; tail a fourth longer than the body. Inhabits Brasil.

,5. C. TORQUATUS, Collared callithrix Callithrix a collui,
Hoffmann, Geoff. Ann. du Mus. xix. p. 114. Simia tor-
quata, Humb. Obs. Zool. i. p. 357. Sagoin a collier,
Desm. Mamm. p. 87. Chestnut-brown; yellowish beneath;
throat white, in the form of a collar. Inhabits Brasil.
Known only by the description of Count Hoffmannsegg.

6. C. MOLOCH, the Moloch. Cebus moloch, Hoffmann.
Moloch, Geoff. Ann. du Mus. xix. p. 114. Simia mo-
loch, Humb. Obs. Zool. i. p. 158. Sajou moloch, Desm.
Mamm. p. 37. Gray ; temples, cheek, and belly, bright
reddish ; hands, and end of the tail, nearly white. Inhabits
Peru.

?. C. MELANOCHIR, Black-Handed Callithrix Prince Maxi-
milien, Sagoin aux mains noirea, Kuhl ; Desm. Mamm.
Gray lower part of the back ; end of the tail reddish ; an-
terior hands dull black ; inhabits Brasil.
Known only by the description of KuhL

3, C. IN^ULATUS, Mitred Callithrix Saguin Mitre, Kuhl;
Desm. Mamm. p. 89. Gray above ; reddish-yellow be-
r.eath ; a large white spot, surrounded with black, beneath
the eyes; end of the tail black ; inhabits Brasil.
Known by the description of Kuhl and Lichtenstein.

SYNOPSIS OE THE SIMIAD^l. 267

GENUS XXII. AoteSi HUMBOLDT.
Head round, proportionally large ; muzzle short ; facial angle

about 60 ; separation of the nostrils narrow ; ears small ; tail

longer than the body ; not prehensile ; nails flat ; eyes and habits

nocturnal ; live in pairs.

PLATE XXIV. 1. AOTES TRIVIRGATUS, The Douroucouli.
Simia trivirgata, Douroucouli, Humb. Ols. Zoo/, i. p.
307 and 358. Aote Douroucouli, Desm, Mamm. p. 88 ;
lilig. Prod. p. 71. Gray ; the belly reddish-yellow ; fore-
head marked with three dark longitudinal stripes. Inhabits

thick forests on the banks of the Cassiquaire.

-a-

GENUS XXIII Pithecia, DESMAREST.
Head round , muzzle short ; facial angle 60 ; canine teeth

very strong ; cars of middle size ; tail shorter than the body, and

covered with very long hairs ; nails claws-like, short, and bent ;

habits nocturnal.

PLATE XXV l.P. SATANus,The Cuxio Couxio, Geoff. Ann.

du Mus. xix. p. 115 ; Humb. Obs. Zool i. p. 314. pi.
27. Saki Couxio, Desm. Mamm. p. 89. Hair brownish-
black; furnished with a thick beard; breast and belly
nearly hairless ; female brownish-red. Inhabits the banks
of the Oronooko.

2. P. CHIROPOTES, Hard-drinking Saki Capuchin, Geoff.
Ann. du Mus. xix. p. 116; Humb. Obs. Zool. i. p.
358. Saki capuchin, Desm. Mamm. p. 89. Reddish-
brown ; hair of the head thick, divided in the middle in
two tufts; beard long and thick; tail blackish-brown.
Inhabits the forests of the High Oronooko, to the south
and east of the Cataracts.

3. P. RUFIVENTER, Red-bellied Saki Saki a ventre noux.

Geoff. Ann. du Mus. xix. p. 116 ; Desm. Mamm. p. 90.
Simia run venter, Humb. Obs. Zool. i. p. 358. Brown,
tinted with reddish ; belly reddish -brown ; hair on the

2C8 STNOPSIS OF THE

croWh separating and falling do\vn in front; \)ear<iless
Inhabits French Guiana.

4. P. MONACHUS, the Monk Moine, Geoff. Ann. du Mus.
xix. p. 116. Simia monachus, Humb. Obs. Zoo/, i. p.
359. Saki moine, Desm. Mamm. p. 91. Varied with
spots of brown and dusky-yellow ; hair of the head elon-
gated ; tail as long as the body. Inhabits Brasil.

5. P. MIRIQUOUINA, the Miriquouina. Miriquouina Azara,
Hist, of Parag. ; Geoff. Ann. du Mus. xix. p. 117.
Simia Azarae, Humb. Obs. Zool. i. 359. Saki miriquouina,
Desm. Mamm. p. 90. Gray ; underneath reddish ; hairs
on the back linged with black and white ; a white spat
above each eye. Inhabits the province of Chaco, and the
south bank of the river Paraguay.

(J. P. LEUCOCEPHALA, the Yarke. .Yarke, Buff. Simia
leucocephala, Humb. Obs. Zool. i. p. 359. Pithecia
leucocephala, Geoff. Ann. du Mus. xix. p. 117. Saki
yarque, Desm. Mamm. p. 91. Black, with the head
whitish ; tail nearly the length of the body. Inhabits
Guiana.

PLATE XXVI 7. P. MELANOCEPHALA, the Cacajao. Simia
melanocephala, Humb. Obs. Zool. i. p. 359. Cacajao,
Humb. ; Geoff. Ann. du Mus. xix. 117. Saki cacajao
Desm. Mamm. p. 91. Hair yellowish-brown ; head and
tip of the tail black ; tail, a sixth of the length of the
body. Inhabits the forests bordering the Cassiquaire and
Negro.

8. P. RUFIBARBA, Red-bearded saki. Saki a moustach,
rouses, Desm. Mamm. p. 90. Upper part of the body
brownish-black, under part pale-red ; eyebrows reddish ;
tail slender toward the tip. Inhabits Surinam.
Described by Kuhl, from Temmink's Collection.

9 P. OCHROCEPHALA, Yellow-headed saki Saki a tt
jaune, Desm. Mamm. p. 90. Hair above of a clei-

SYNOPSIS OF THE SIMIADJE. 269

chestnut, beneath yellowish-gray ; four hand? brorcnisk.
black ; face surrounded with a circle of ochreous-yellow.
Inhabits Cayenne.

Described by Kuhl, from Temmink's Collection.

GENUS XXIV. Hapales, ILLIGER.

Muzzle short; facial angle 60. The upper lateral incisors
insulated ; the under lateral incisors longest ; inferior canine teeth
very small ; nails, except those of the hinder thumbs, in the '
form of claws ; tail longer than the body, and squirrel-like.
PLATE XXVII. 1. H. VULGARIS, Ouistiti, or the Striated Mon-
key. Ouistiti vulgare, Jacchus vulgaris, Geoff. Ann. du
Mus. xix. 119; Desm. Mamm. 92. Simia jacclms,
Humb. Obs. ZooL i. p. 365. Deep gray ; lower part of
the back and tail banded with brown ; head of a chestnut-
red ; forehead with a white spot ; the hairs from the cheeks
and behind the ears nearly white, and very long. Inhabits
Guiana and Brasil.
Desmarest mentions a variety with the fur red, tinged with gray.

2. H. PENICILLATUS, The Tufted Ouistiti. Pinceau, Geoff.
Ann. du Mus. xix. 119. Ouistiti pinceau, Jacchus
penicillatus, Desm. Mamm. p. 94. Simia penicillata,
Humb. Obs. ZooL i. p. 365. Gray; tail and lower
part of the back banded with brown ; forehead with a white
spot ; hairs of the cheeks and behind the ears long and
black. Inhabits Brasil.

3. H. LEUCOCEPHALUS, White-headed Ouistiti Ouistiti a
tete blanche, Jacchus leucocephalus, Geoff. Ann. du Mus.
xix. 119 ; Desm. Mamm. 94. Simia Gcoffroyi, Humb.
Obs. ZooL i. 365. Hair red ; head and breast white ;
neck black ; tail tinged with brown and gray ; hair be-
hind the ears black and long. Inhabits Brasil.

4. H. AURITUS, Eared Ouistiti. Ouistiti oreillard, Jacchua
auritus, Geoff. Ann. du Mus. xix. 119 ; Desm. Mamm.

270 SYNOPSIS OF THE SIMIADJE.

p. 95. Simla aurita, Hurnb. Obs. Zool. i. 356. Hair
black, /nixed with brown ; tail tinged with black and gray ;
a white spot on the forehead , long white hair hides the
interior of the ears ; young brown ; the adult markings
obscure. Inhabits Brasil.
Nos. 2 and 4 are much allied to H. vulgaris .

5. H. HUMERALIFER, White-shouldered Ouistiti. Ouistiti
camail, Jacchus humeralifer, Geoff. Ann. du Mus. xix.
p. 120 ; Desm. Mamm. p. 95. Simia huincralifera,
Humb. Obs. Zool. i. 365. Hair brownish-chestnut ; tail
slightly tinged wfth gray; shoulders, breast and arms,
white. Inhabits Brasil.

6. H. AROENTATUS, The Mico. Simia argentata, Linn. ;

Humb Mico. Audeb. Ouistiti mico, Jacchus argentatus,

Geoff. Ann. du Mus. xix. p. 120 ; Desm. Mamm. p.
94. Hair shining, entirely white ; the tail black ; face
and hands deep flesh-colour. Inhabits Para.

According to Kuhl the tail is sometimes white.

7. H. ALBIFRONS, White-fronted Ouistiti. Ouistiti a front
blanc, Jacchus albifrons, Desm. Mamm. Supp. p. 534.
Hair black; white at the roots; face black; forehead,
sides of the neck and throat, clothed with short white hair ;
hair of the occiput and behind the ears long and black ; tail
brown, slightly varied with white. Native district un-
known.

8. H. MELANURUS, Black- tailed Ouistiti Ouistiti melanure,

Jacchus melanurus, Geoff. Ann. du Mus. xix. p. 120.;
Desm. Mamm. p. 94. Simia melanura, Humb. Obs. Zool.
i. p. 365. Hair brown above ; beneath yellowish ; tail of
a uniform black. Inhabits Brasil, Humboldt.

Probably forms the passage to the next genus, Midas.

GENUS XXV. Midas^ GEOFFROY.
Muzzle short ; facial angle 60 : forehead appearing prominent

SYNOPSIS OF THE SIMIAD^l. 271

by the great angie of the upper edge of the orbits ; upper incisois
contiguous, under incisors equal in size ; two inferior canine teeth
nearly equal in size to the upper; nails, except on the Mcuor
thumbs, formed like claws ; tail as in Hapales.

1. M. RUFIMANUS, Red-Handed Tamarin. Simia midas,
Linn. Humb. Tamarin, Audeb. Tamarin a mains
rousses, Geoff. Ann. du Mus. xix, p. 121. Ouistiti
tamarin, Desm. Mamm. p. 94. Hair black ; lower part
of the back varied with gray ; four hands reddish. Guiana.
(Not found in Brasil, Desm.)

2. M. URSULUS, The Negro Tamarin Tamarin negre,
Audeb ; Geoff. Ann. du Mus. xix. p. 121. Ouisciti negre,
Desm. Mamm. p. 94. Hair black ; back \va*?d with
bright reddish hands black. Inhabits Para.

Amed to the preceding.

3. M. LABIATUS, White-lipped Tamarin Tamarin labid,
Geoff. Ann. du Mus. xix. p. 121. Ouistiti labirf, Desm.
Mamm. p. 95. Hair blackish, reddish beneath ; head
black ; nose and lips white. Inhabits Brasil.

4. M. CflRYsoMELAS, Yellow-fronted Tamarin. Ouistiti a
front jaune, Desm. Mamm. p. 95. Hair black ; fore-
head and upper side of the tail golden-yellow ; forehead,
knees, breast, and sides of the head, of a chestnut-red.
Inhabits Brasil and Para.

PLATE XXVIII 5. M.ROSALIA, The Marikina, or Silky Tamarin.

Simia rosalia, Linn. Humb. Marikina, Buff. Audeb.

Geoff. Ouistiti marikina, Desm. Mamm, p. 95. Hair

of a golden yellow, varying from a yellower to a redder

tinge ; a main upon the neck. Inhabits Guiana, and the

southern regions of Brasil, from Rio Janeiro to Cape Frio*

Desmarest mentions a variety from Guiana varied -with red

and black-r-froui Brasil, bright shining red.

PLATE XXIX. 6. M. LEONINUS, Leonine Tamarin. SitnU
leonina, Humb. Obs. Zool. i. 361. Leoncito, Geoff.

272 SYNOPSIS OF THE SIMIADJ3.

du Mus. six. i. 121. Ouistiti leoncito, Desm.
Mamm. p. 95. Hair brownish ; neck with a nume of
the same colour ; face black ; mouth white ; tail black
above, white beneath. Inhabits the plains which border
the eastern part of the Cordilleras.

7. M. CEDIPUS, The Pinche. Simia oedipus, Linn. P'rohe,
Audeb. Titi de Carthagene, Humb. Obs. Zool. i. rf37.
Pinche, Geoff. Ann. du Mus. xix. p. 122. Ouistiti pinche,
T)vsm. Mamm. p. 96. Hair brownish yellow above,
white beneath ; a long beard, silky and white ; tail red,
extreme half black. Inhabits Carthagena, rare in Goiana,

APPENDIX.

A.

OBSERVATIONS

ON THE NEW ILLTJST RATIONS,
BY

ME. JAMES STEWAET,

THE ABTIST "WHO MADE THE DRAWINGS.

275

THE ENTELLUS MONKEY.
PLATE IX.

From a Specimen in the Edinburgh Royal Zoological
Gardens.

THIS rare Monkey, of which there have been several
specimens in these Gardens, thrives very ill in this
<;liinate, never showing any activity, being always
dull and heavy, although never fretful; showing
very little agility or disposition to playfulness, even
though surrounded by others, sporting all manner
of antics. It sits amidst the bustle with dull glaring
yes, totally indifferent to every effort made to in-
duce it to join the fun along with the rest. The
specimens at the Gardens have varied in colour,
from a dull fawn all over the body, lighter beneath,
to a pale ashy white ; face in all the specimens
purplish-black ; hands of a dead flesh colour.

276

CERCOPITHECUS MONA.
THE VARIED MONKEY.

PLATE X.

From a Specimen in the Edinburgh Royal Zoological
Gardens.

THIS portrait was taken from one of a pair at pre-
sent in the Gardens. It is one of the most active,
pleasing, and beautiful of all the Monkey .tribes ;
keeping its naturally fine coloured and textured fur
scrupulously clean. It is extremely good natured,
active, and graceful, in all its movements ; very in-
quisitive; fond of handling and examining every
object within its reach ; yet, with all its apparent
familiarity, never permitting itself to be handled.
It will at once put out its hands, and examine the
back of your hand, lift the cuff of your coat, exa-
mine your wrist-band, scrutinizing every part with
magpie and marrow-bone like expression ; but, upon
the slightest symptom of turning up the palm of

THE VARIED MONKEY. 277

your hand, it withdraws its hands with the speed
of thought* When given any thing to eat, even its
most common food, it applies it with both hands to
its nose, then deliberately examines it, applies it to
the nose again, and, convinced o? its quality, it
begins carefully to remove any skin, husk, or ble-
mish ; after which it eats quickly, but not greedily.
When, after such examination, it is not satisfied
with any thing offered, it lets it drop from its hands,
looking after it in its descent, uttering a low gut-
tural sound, the only sound it utters except a squal-
ling scream when excited.

CERCOCEBUS FULIGINOSUS.

THE MANGABEY OR WHITE

EYELID MONKEY.

PLATE XII.

From a Specimen in the Royal Zoological Gardens,
Edinburgh,

THIS Monkey is good-natured and playful, yet, in
its most humorous fits, displaying a ludicrous gravity
of expression, at the same time uttering a low,
pleased, serious grunt. It was exceedingly inquisi-
tive, fond of handling and examining every thing
within reach, yet carefully keeping itself clear of
being touched; never showed any fits of passion
or ill-nature; was not greedy or grasping; took
what it got from visitors in the way of dainties,
never appearing jealous of much smaller or weaker
companions in the same cage, who came in for a
share of the good things going. It walked mostly

THE MANAGBEY OR TVIIITE EYELID MONKEY. 279

on all fours; sometimes carried its tail erect, but
for the most part elevated about and horizontal
with the back. The back remarkably straight and
stiff, appearing not to have the same flexibility of
spine, possessed by Monkeys in general.

280

CERCOCEBUS SAB^EUS.
THE GREEN MONKEY.

PLATE XIII.

From a fine Specimen (out of three or four) in the
Edinburgh Zoological Gardens.

THIS is an exceedingly active, cleanly, and graceful
Monkey, familiar and confident, yet not obtrusive
or quarrelsome ; but, if roused, attacking boldly, and
intimidating much larger and stronger Monkeys
than itself. When offered a nut, it did not, like
many of its companions, snatch it from the hand ;
but took it slowly and confidently. It would then
roll it between the palms of its hands ; then wet it
in its mouth, rubbing it repeatedly on its hip, till
apparently satisfied that it was clean enough; it
would then crack it and eat the kernel.

This Monkey appears not to thrive well in con-
finement, as several fine specimens, which have
been in the Gardens, lived but a very short time.

281

MACACUS SILENUS.
THE WANDEROO MONKEY.

PLATE XIV.

From a Specimen in the Edinburgh Zoological
Gardens.

THIS is a very beautiful, gentle, and familiar little
Monkey, exceedingly active, and in all its motions,
displaying a quiet intelligence; at the same time,
looking you in the face with a pleased and peering
human-like expression ; fond of handling and exa-
mining every thing; at the same time allowing
itself, without the least shyness, to be fondled, ex-
pressing its satisfaction by a laughing look ; show-
ing its teeth, and applying them gently to the
hand, licking it, &c. It shows no selfishness ; but
holding out its little hand with a grateful look, will
take any of the good things offered, of which the
younger visitors are seldom forgetful. It does not

282 THE WANDEROO MONKEY.

show the least anger, although its smaller com-
panions should snatch from its hand the bite going
into its mouth.

The only sound it emits, is a low pleased nicher :
and, when excited, a clear sharp whine.

283

ATELES PANISCUS.
THE COAITA.

PLATE XX.

From a Specimens in the Edinburgh Royal Zoological
Gardens.

THERE have been several specimens of this Monkey
in the Gardens, from time to time, all possessed of
the same characteristics extreme gentleness and
timidity. Suffering much from cold when in the
shade, in our warmest summer weather; its most
common posture, when at rest, was sitting, its head
resting between its knees, its long arms being
folded round them, and clasped on its back, its
long tail twined round, and twice encircling its
lower extremities. In this position it would sit for
Aours, marking, with the keenest attention, every
thing occurring within range of its sight. When
offered any thing tempting to eat by any of the
visitors, it would slowly unfold itself, as if fearful to

284 THE COAITA..

expose itself to cold ; and, with pursed mouth and
protruding lips, uttering a plaintive and fretful
gutteral whine ; would slowly and deliberately take
hold of any thing given to it, by a sidelong move-
ment of its long narrow hand, divested of even the
rudiments of a thumb ; and placing the hollow of
its closed hand to its mouth, would pick out any
thing it contained. Its gait and movements about
its cage were agile, but cautious, never making a
leap from one part to another, but climbing quickly
about, holding on and letting go with hands, feet,
and tail alternately. It was very fond of thrusting
its long cold hands between the palms of yours,
being pleased with the warmth that yours im-
parted ; always uttering its usual whine when you
shook yourself clear of it. The smallest Monkey in
the same cage tyrannized over it with the utmost
impunity. When irritated, which seldom happened,
it uttered a short barking grunt.

285

CEBUS MONACHU&
THE LARGE HEADED SAPAJOU. '

PLATE XXII.

From a Specimen lately in the Royal Edinburgh
Zoological Gardens.

THERE was a fine specimen of this Monkey in the
Gardens about two years ago ; it was exceedingly
timid and morose, yet not ill-natured or mis-
chievous, always keeping as far away from the
visitors as it could, by clinging to the higher bars
of the cage ; avoiding, with equal care, its fellow
inmates; by whom, although much smaller and
weaker, it underwent a constant system of perse-
cution. By the way of bettering its condition, it
was removed into a cage, containing four or five
Eacoons ; but they turned out to be of " the wicked
whose tender mercies are cruel ;" as they one night,
by way of a ploy, took the liberty of killing and
eating him.

286

CALLITHRIX SCIUREUS
THE SIAMIRI.

PLATE XXIII.
From a fine Specimen in the Zoological Gardens.

THIS animal lived but a short time in the Gardens.
Unfortunately, it arrived in this country near the
fall of the year, and the coldness of the climate soon
put an end to its existence.

In its habits it was quiet and gentle, never show-
ing the least symptom of petulance or ill-nature in
its movements. On all-fours it was quick but deli-
liberate, never springing nor jumping ; but, with a
quick running movement, which it generally made
in pursuit of flies, of which it seemed very fond,
always catching them by a movement of the hand,
so quick as to be imperceptible. Before eating its
prey, it carefully removed the wings, and if a small
fly, it eat it entire ; if a carrion or blue-bottle fly,

THE SIAMIRI. 287

of which there are great numbers about the Gar-
dens, it would divide the fly, eating only one-half
at a time.

If offered any thing eatable, it held out its hand
with extreme caution, fixing its large eyes on yours.
If the least motion of the other hand were made, it
excited suspicion, and it would immediately with-
draw to the middle of the cage, the place farthest
removed from danger, uttering a low cluttering
sound, and hardly any inducement would tempt it
from its security again. In walking, its back was
much arched, shoulders very low, head higher than
the shoulder, tail always drooping.

288

OUSTITL THE STRIATED MONKEY.
PLATE XXVII.

From a Specimen in the Edinburgh Royal Zoological
Gardens.

THERE have been numerous specimens of this beau-
tiful yet extremely delicate little Monkey in the
Gardens, whose short stay there was a mere process
of suffering and decay, as they appear to pine from
their first arrival. There whole care, when not eat-
ing, appeared to be huddling together to protect
themselves from cold, almost constantly uttering
their low plaintive chitter ; a shivering motion being
always perceptible throughout their attenuated and
crouched-up frames. The only object that seemed
for a moment to rouse their dormant and feeble
energies, was the occasional intrusion of an unlucky
fly into their cage, which was instantly seized,
divested of its wings, divided in two, and greedily
devoured. Indeed, from the avidity with which
they hunted these insects, and the relish with
which they ate them, they appear to be, in a great
part, their natural food.

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