MARMOSET (OF. manowsd, mar-mouse', Fr. murmuuset, puppet, from .\11,. alarinorclum, marble figure. from Lat. marl/tor. Ok. ,ucippLapos, trsurmuros, marble, from /2ap,unipfo, inetrnoiirein, to sparkle). One of the small and pretty -\meri• can monkeys of the family Ilapalidte. These lit tle creatures are distinguished from all other American monkeys by several features besides their diminutive size, long hind legs. long fur, and penciled ears. Their dentition is like that of the Old World monkeys in that it comprises, only 32 teeth. without the four 'wisdom' molars possessed by the Cebithe. (See .N 0:\ KEY. ) thumbs are not opposable, their nails are in the form of claws., and their tails (which are long and bushy) are not prehensile. These and other characters place them at the foot 44 the scale of the monkeys. and next to the lemurs. They arc arboreal in habits and climb about in small parties in search of fruit and insects. lunch squirrels do; and they habitually produce two or three young at a birth instead of one. as is usual with higher monkeys. Two genera are estab lished, one the typical marmosets or 'ouistitis' (liapale), and the other the silky marmosets or laniarins' (Midas). (If 11w former, the com mon (Mist it i (ilapale jacchus) of Brazil is a familiar pet throughout tropical America, and is often brought to the l"nited States or taken to Europe, but rarely survives even tile first northern winter. It is not larger than a half-grown kitten. and is usually black ish, with the back and thighs banded with gray. and two great tufts of hair on the ears pure while; the tail is ringed with black and gray. Several other species and va rieties are known. some of which are varieolored, and others pure white. The smallest. and one of the most widely llistrihuted, is only seven inches long.
The tamarins or marmosets of the genus Midas differ in dentition and also in the absence of tufts on the ears, and the rings of color on the tail. Like the others. they :ire common pets in South and Central Amerien, and some kinds stray as far north as Central Mexico. Several
species are well known. especially the negro I11111:11'ill I Ilidas ursidas) of the lower Amazon Valley; the queer little pinch! I It idus (Edipus) of the Isthmus. which has a great growth of white hair on the head; and the silky marmoset. or •marikina' I 11 idaR rosalial. is clothed in long silky hair of a golden hue: this hair forms a long mane on the head and neck, giving the name 'lion monkey' to some varieties. This species is often seen in menageries. and is a pet in its own country. Consult authori ties mentioned under MONKEY: especially 11ates, VolltlaiS1 MI the Nirer I mazoo (London.
1S92). See Plate of \I“NKEYs. MARMOT (Fr. marmotte, front It. marmotto, marrnoutana, limn Rumanian marmonl, from munnunto, ner. VI/root. from ML. 11111R M0111(11111R, mountain mouse. marmot 1. A genus of rodents (Arctomys) of the ground squirrel family. They resemble squirrels in their denti tion, although in their form and habits they more resemble rats and mice. The animal to which the term (now little used) first applied was the common species (.1 retomy.s a/pinns) of the moun tains of Europe. It is about the size of a rabbit, grayish yelhm, brown toward the head. It feeds on roots, leaves, insects, and the like, is gregari ous, and often lives in large soeieties. It digs large burrows with several chamhers and two entrances, generally on the slopes of the moun tains. where the marmots may be seen sporting and basking in the sunshine during the fine weather of summer. They spend the winter in their burrows, in one chamber of which is a store of grass: but the greater part of the winter is t?assed in torpidity. The alpine marmot is easily tamed. These features and habits are charactcrist h. of the group. A half dozen other species occur in Europe. Asia, and North Amer ica. The best known American species are the woodchuck and its larger relative of the Rocky Mountains. See WHISTLER; Woonenucg.