522 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



or, as I would rather say, of evading them under the cover of a con- 

 ventional phrase. 



I am making a few experiments which promise to afford an ex- 

 planation of the changes above described, without invoking the aid of 

 any invisible atoms or molecules, or anything else beyond the reach 

 of our simple senses, and will communicate the results in my next 

 paper. — Knowledge. 



MY MONKEYS. 



By M. J. FISCHER. 



I HAVE never bought any trained monkeys, but, in my experiments 

 in domesticating wild ones, have always treated my animals with 

 the greatest care, and chosen moral rather than physical means of dis- 

 cipline. The relations between the monkey and his master ought to 

 be friendly, and, when the first causes for fear and motives to anger 

 have been suppressed, there will remain on the animal's part only feel- 

 ings of respect. He will recognize his inferiority to man, and will 

 respect him without fear. These lively and nervous animals, abruptly 

 torn from their native wilds, to be shut ujd and treated in an unnatural 

 manner, preserve in captivity their good-humor and intelligence to a 

 remarkable degree. 



The monkeys I have kept have been both of New World and Old 

 "Woi'ld species. The last are the more intelligent. 



In April, 1873, I received a young male of rhesus (3facacus ery- 

 throeiis, or rhesus), well tamed, and weighing about three pounds and 

 three quarters, but coming to me with a cold and in a very thin and 

 dejected condition. His hair was lusterless, short, and all off in spots, 

 while his tail was quite bare. He had, although a male, received the 

 name of Molly, and answered to it readily. I did not change it. I 

 gave him a cage large enough for him to turn around in freely, and to 

 afford ample room for all the manifestations of his sanguine and nerv- 

 ous temperament. A few days after he came, I allowed him a brief 

 promenade in the room. Without disturbing anything, he posted 

 himself at a window, whence he could look at the passers-by. His 

 conduct was so rational that I determined to extend his promenade, 

 and shut him up only while I was away. This liberty, the constant 

 intercourse with persons who caressed him as much as he would let 

 them instead of teasing him, the quiet of his surroundings, and the 

 removal of every feared and exciting object, exercised a decisive and 

 favorable influence on his mental and physical development. 



His attachment to me was extreme. He was near me all day, and 

 followed me around like a faithful dog. When I hid away from him 

 or shut a door in his face, he would cry and try to open the door with 



