Credit: © The Royal Society
    Image number: RS.10029
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    ‘The Bush-tailed Monkey’

    Date
    1761
    Creator
    George Edwards (1694 - 1773, British) , Ornithologist
    Object type
    Library reference
    38029
    Material
    Technique
    Dimensions
    height (print): 288mm
    width (print): 220mm
    Subject
    Biology
       > Zoology
    Content object
    nature
       > animal
    Description
    Zoological study of a monkey, possibly a tufted capuchin Sapajus apella, although Edwards identifies the animal as being from Surinam. The monkey is shown seated on a stone slab and holding fruit.

    Plate 312 from chapter 102 of Gleanings of natural history, exhibiting figures of quadrupeds, birds, insects, plants, &c..., by George Edwards, volume 3 (London, for the author, 1764). The author describes the animal within the text: “This Monkey was about the size of a half-grown Cat: it was a male, without any signs of viciousness...This little Monkey is said to be a native of Surinam. It was presented to me by my worthy friend Capt. John Dobson, of Rotherhithe, who being Captain of a private ship of war, took it in an enemy’s ship returning from the West Indies A.D. 1759...”

    The plate is inscribed: “The little Bush-tailed Monkey, from Surinam. Drawn from Life, by George Edwards, October 28 1761.”
    Associated place
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