_Simia paniscus_, Linn., Syst. Nat., i., p. 27 (1766).
_Ateles pentadactylus_, Geoff., Ann. Mus., vii., p. 269 (1806); Schl.,
Mus. Pays Bas, vii., p. 172 (1876, in part).
_Ateles paniscus_, Geoff., Ann. Mus., vii., p. 270 (1806); Gray, Cat.
Monkeys Brit. Mus., p. 42 (1870); Schl., Mus. Pays Bas, vii., p. 169
(1876, part.).
_Le coaita_, F. Cuv. et Geoffr., Nat. Hist. Mamm., liv., v. (Avril,
1819).
_Sapajou paniscus_, Slack, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., p. 509 (1862).
CHARACTERS.--Very similar to _A. ater_ in its coarse and entirely black
fur, but differing in the naked and flesh-coloured {238}face. Hairs of
forehead long and projecting anteriorly; tail one-quarter longer than the
body; hands generally entirely lacking the thumbs, though sometimes a
rudimentary thumb is present, and that occasionally on one hand only. Naked
portion of tail covered with sensory papillæ, rendering it more sensitive,
so it is said, than the hand. Length of body, 24 inches; tail, 30 inches.
The skull in some specimens of the thumbed variety is compressed laterally,
and shows a sagittal crest along the top.
DISTRIBUTION.--This species is spread over Guiana, the forests of the
Ucayali and Huallaga rivers in eastern Peru, and the northern part of
Brazil, where it is known as the "Coaita," taking the place of the more
northern _Ateles ater_. "It occurs," says Mr. Bates, "throughout the
lowlands of the Lower and Upper Amazons, but does not range to the south
beyond the limits of the river plains." In the higher part of the Rio Negro
it comes down to the north bank, but does not cross to the south bank of
the river.
HABITS.--This species is the best known of all the Spider-Monkeys. It is
captured in large numbers, when young, by the natives of Guiana, and as
they bear captivity well, many of them have been brought to Europe. They
live in larger troops than do some of the other members of its genus;
indeed, these companies are said to number as many as a hundred. They are
very easily tamed, and become very affectionate. They live chiefly on
fruits, principally on a species of palm-nut. Dampier, however, says,
apparently of this species of _Ateles_: "The Monkeys come down by the
Sea-side [at low water] and catch them [the Periwinckles and Muscles];
digging them out of their Shells with their Claws." Large numbers of this
species {239}are also annually killed for food, their flesh being held in
high esteem by the natives.