Capuchin

Member of the Franciscan order of monks in the Roman Catholic Church, instituted by the Italian monk Matteo di Bassi (died 1552), who wished to return to the literal observance of the rule of St Francis. The Capuchin rule was drawn up in 1529 and the order recognized by the pope in 1619. The name was derived from the French term for the brown habit and pointed hood (capuche) that they wore. The order has been involved in missionary activity.

capuchin

Monkey of the genus Cebus found in Central and South America, so called because the hairs on the head resemble the cowl of a Capuchin monk. Capuchins live in small groups, feed on fruit and insects, and have a long tail that is semiprehensile and can give support when climbing through the trees.

There are now thought to be only 800 yellow-breasted capuchins left in the wild, found only in the Atlantic forest in Bahía state, Brazil.