Monkeys in the West Indies

Abstract

IN his very interesting paper on “Tails”, which appeared in NATURE, vol. xx. p. 510, Prof. Mivart says, “Monkeys are scattered over almost all the warmest parts of the earth save the West Indies, Madagascar, New Guinea, and Australia”. As regards the West Indies the statement is not quite correct, and I am sure Prof. Mivart will be glad to receive the following information on the subject. In the islands of St. Christopher and Nevis, which form part of the division of islands commonly called the Lesser Antilles, monkeys are found in large numbers, and a planter friend in the former island, which I have recently visited, assured me that he had lately been obliged to appoint a “monkey-watchman” to protect the cane-fields and the sweet-potato fields; of his estate from the destructive raids of bands of monkeys.