LETTER TO THE EDITOR.
THE MARMOSET.
rro THZ EDITOR OF THA srionsron.-1 Sin,—Those who have followed with any degree of interest my suggestions and experiences in the matter of feeding the marmoset, so often dying of decline in this country from the lack of suitable nourishment rather than from cold, may be glad to know that they will relish oysters,—at least so I find to be the ease with the one which I have had for some seven and a half years, and which continues in good health, in spite of the severity of the season. The frost renders the procuring of snails difficult; and the obtaining of any variety in the way of insect diet is in winter almost impossible. My pet, Marmie,' will eat the left half of an oyster at lnncheon-time with evident enjoyment; and with his tongue and tiny teeth will tear morsels from a pheasant bone after the manner of a cat. Live shrimps are not to be had from the fishmongers. They will not bear transportation. But where they can be had on the coast, the marmoset need not want a change of food. Marmie ' likes nothing better, when he can get them. During the cold weather a gas-burner is left alight in the room in which he sleeps ; and although the temperature has been as low as 500, he does not seem to suffer, probably because he is carefully fed and well wrapped up. He prefers his sugar-water with the chill off, and he has a warm bed of flannel and cotton-wool, with an extra blanket, all aired at the fire night and morning, and a green-baize cover to his cage. Hoping that my letter, if you are so good as to publish it, may help to give some little marmosets a happy New Year, and wishing you the same.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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