Quadrupeds, What They Are and Where Found: A Book of Zoology for BoysReid, Mayne
Science
Quadrupeds, What They Are and Where Found: A Book of Zoology for Boys
Reid, Mayne
Mammals
The third and last genus of the Sapajous is that termed _Lagothrix_.
They are small monkeys, covered also with soft woolly hair; and their
habitat is along the banks of rivers. They have a strange habit, not
observable among their congeners, of collecting in small troops, and
rolling or "clewing" themselves up together. This they do in cold
weather, or on the approach of a storm. They summon each other by means
of signals and cries; and selecting the convenient bifurcation of some
tree, they there form the singular group. The jaguar and other beasts
of prey take advantage of this habit, and often make victims of the
whole _tableau vivant_! There are three species already described, all
denizens of the Brazilian forests.
The Sajous form the second group of the American monkeys. These have
also prehensile tails; but the power is not so highly-developed in them
as in the Sapajous, nor are their tails naked. Moreover, the bodies of
the Sajous are more robust, and their limbs of stouter make.
The Sajous are well-tempered creatures, and easily domesticated. Some
of the species are favourite pets--on account of their pleasing manners,
and the docility of their nature. The old males, however, scarcely
deserve this reputation, as they will bite freely enough when provoked.
They are not subdivided; but permitted to constitute a single genus, of
which there are nearly twenty species--all of them inhabiting equatorial
America.
The Sajouins form the third group; but as the name merely signifies
those monkeys that have not the power of suspending themselves by the
tail, it can hardly be considered a natural group, since there are very
varied and numerous genera who lack this power. The group of Sajouins
must therefore be subdivided into several lesser groups.
First of all we have the true Sajouins; and of these the _Saimiri_ or
_Titi_ is the most distinguished species. This pretty little creature
is about equal in size to a squirrel, and possesses all the playful
disposition of the latter. Its childlike innocence of countenance, as
well as its pleasing and graceful manners, render it a favourite pet
wherever it can be obtained. Its rich robe of yellowish-grey, mixed
with green, adds to the attraction of its presence. There are several
species of Sajouins, known as the Widow monkey, the Moloch, the Mitred
monkey, and the Black-handed Sajouin--all of them dwellers in the
tropical regions of America. The Doroucouli is another small species,
that in the nocturnal forest often alarms the traveller by its singular
cry; and an allied species of Doroucouli constitutes, with the one
above-mentioned, a second genus of the Sajouins.
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