HORNED SAPAJOU. THERE are many different species of this genus, as the yellow-breasted sajou, or sapajou, the brown sajou, and the horned sajou, the one before us. The native country of this animal is the Brazil, a part of the world very rich in the productions of nature. Little or nothing is known of its habits in a state of nature; but it is easily tamed, and is described as being, when in domestication, lively and amusing, active and good-tempered. It is found too in the provinces of Rio de Janeiro, and also in South America. The general colour of the fur of the horned sajou is brown, the top of the head being much darker, and approaching almost to black, which also prevails in like manner on the middle of the back, and on the legs, hands, feet, and tail. "A bandeau of hair rises on the forehead, the extremities of which are elevated. in the form of egrets, or pencil-like tufts: these tufts are less conspicuous in the female. The sides of the face are garnished with white hairs. with white hairs. It is not until maturity that the horns or frontal tufts are acquired." The following is the generic account of the animals to which this species belongs:-The monkeys of this genus are all diurnal in their habits, and for the most part of small size. The French call them sapajous, sajous, saus, and capucins. They are also called weepers, from the plaintive piping noise which many of them utter. Humboldt states that the Creoles of South America call them 'matchi,' confounding under this denomination very distinct species. In temper and disposition the 186 HORNED SAPAJOU. cebi are lively and docile; they shew great attachment to some persons, and a capricious aversion to others; they are intelligent, mischievous, and inquisitive. Their activity and address are surprising. In their native forests they live in troops, feeding on fruits, grain, insects, and eggs. So amusing are they in their gambols, that even the apathetic natives will stop their canoes, and watch their frolics with interest. They are, from their liveliness and docility, great favourites, and are often kept domesticated; but their amusing habits do not protect them from the poisoned arrows of the Indians. The head is round, the muzzle short, and the limbs well proportioned; the ears are rounded. One of the species of sapajou was met with by Humboldt in considerable troops in the forests near the cataracts of the Oronoko, and the mission of Santa Barbara. They are extremely mild in disposition, and very active; are 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. Another is mentioned, in the house of a missionary, which would often ride upon a cat, which had been reared in its company, and which patiently suffered the exploits of the sapajou. |