The Western World: Picturesque Sketches of Nature and Natural History in North; and South AmericaKingston, William Henry Giles
History
The Western World: Picturesque Sketches of Nature and Natural History in North; and South America
Kingston, William Henry Giles
Natural history -- North America; Natural history -- South America
Audubon the naturalist possessed a little creature of this species,
which could distinguish different objects depicted in an engraving. On
showing it the portrait of a cat and a wasp, it became much terrified;
but when the figure of a grasshopper or beetle was placed before it, it
precipitated itself on the picture, as if to seize them.
Another, which belonged to a lady, used, when angry, to pull at her
hair, and nibble the ends of her ringlets. It also possessed the
accomplishment of being able to stand on its head.
It is certainly one of the most beautiful of its tribe. It is covered
with long glossy locks of a bright and lustrous chestnut, having a
golden sheen, almost varying in texture with the fine fibres of unwoven
silk. The colour darkens somewhat on the paws. The fur is everywhere
long, but on the head and shoulders it is of extraordinary length in
proportion to the size of the animal, which has thus gained a name very
inappropriate to its disposition, as it is an especially timid little
creature, and unable to do battle with any foe. It is, however, so
active and clever in hiding itself, that it is enabled to escape from
its enemies. When pleased, its voice is soft and gentle; but when angry
or terrified, it utters a somewhat sharp hiss.
MIDAS ARGENTATUS.
Among the rarest of the tribe is the Midas argentatus, measuring only
seven inches in length of body. It resembles a little white kitten,--
being covered with long white silky hair. The tail, however, is
blackish, and the face nearly naked and flesh-coloured. The eyes, which
are black, are full of curiosity and mistrust; and one seen in
captivity--except when in the arms of its owner--shrank back and
trembled with fear, while its teeth chattered, and it uttered a
tremulous, frightened tone, at the approach of a stranger.
SAI CAPICINUS.
The most attractive little creatures in the American forests are the
capucins, the best-known of which is the Sai capucinus. Their tails,
though covered with hair, are prehensile. They are active and lively in
the extreme, leaping about from bough to bough, and eagerly watching all
that goes forward in the world below. There are several species of
similar habits, their quaint ways and general intelligence making them
all great favourites when tamed. They live chiefly on vegetable food,
but they devour insects and eggs, and do not object to a bird when they
can manage to catch one.
HORNED CAPUCIN.
The horned capucin, or sapajou (Cebus fatuellus), is remarkable for two
points of hair which stand out from the forehead, and give it the
appearance of having horns. The colour is sometimes of a deep brown,
and at others of a purple-black, while occasionally it has a chestnut
tint.
THE COMMON CAPUCIN.
The hair of the common capucin is of a golden olive, with white fur
bordering the face.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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