THE AMERICAN MONKEYS. 3h

In it the prehensile tail reaches its perfection. It is a
remarkably sensitive organ, answering the purpose, as the Rev.
J. G. Wood puts it, of “a fifth hand,” being capable of use
“for any purpose to which the hand could be applied,” and
for hooking out objects from places “where a hand could
not be inserted.” According to Mr. Wood they wrap their
tails about them to protect themselves from cold, to which
they are very sensitive, and hold on by them to the branches
of trees with such tenacity that they remain suspended after
death. The prehensile part of the tail is naked and of
extreme sensibility. The tail is also used to preserve balance
when walking erect, for which purpose it is thrown up and
curled over. The appearance of these monkeys, as they leap
from branch to branch in their native woods, swinging by
their tails, and often hanging on to those of each other, until
a living bridge is formed from tree to tree, is exceedingly
picturesque.
The Howling The Howling Monkeys form the single genus
Monkeys. of the second sub-family of the Cebidz—the
genus Mycetes. There are a number of species, popularly
known as the “Golden Howler,” the “Black Howler,” &c. &c.
They are chiefly characteristic for the attribute to which they
owe their name, The howl is a loud mournful cry which
can be heard at a great distance, and is said by Wallace to
proceed from the leader of the band who howls for the whole
company. These animals are larger and more clumsy than
the spider monkeys and therefore less agile; they have powerful,
prehensile tails. The “Howler ”is much prized by the Indians
as an article of food.
The Beardea The third sub-family of the Cebidz includes
Seki. some dozen species which inhabit the forests of
Equatorial America. They are of the genus Pithecia, and
some species have broad beards and bushy tails. The head
of the Bearded Saki (Pethecta Satanas) has a singularly
human appearance.