The marikina is a pretty little animal which has often been brought into
Europe. Its elegant form, graceful and easy motions, beautiful fur,
intelligent physiognomy, soft voice, and affectionate disposition, have
always constituted it an object of attraction.
The marikina, or silken monkey, can be preserved in European climates only
by the utmost care in guarding it from the operation of atmospheric
temperature. The cold and humidity of our winters are fatally injurious to
its health. Neatness and cleanliness to a fastidious degree are
constitutional traits of the marikina, and the greatest possible attention
must be paid to it in this way, in a state of captivity. The slightest
degree of dirt annoys them beyond measure, they lose their gaiety, and die
of melancholy and disgust. They are animals of the most excessive
delicacy, and it is not easy to procure them suitable nourishment. They
cannot accustom themselves to live alone, and solitude is pernicious to
them in an exact proportion to the degree of tenderness and care with
which they have been habitually treated. The most certain means of
preserving their existence, is to unite them to other individuals of their
own species, and more especially to those of an opposite sex. They will
soon accustom themselves to live on milk, biscuit, &c. but mild and ripe
fruit is most agreeable to their taste, which to a certain degree is also
insectivorous.--_London Magazine_.
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