58 THE PIG-TAILED MACAQUE 
from childhood. Many of these animals, such as the horse and the dog, are universally 
employed in all parts ‘of the world, while others, such as the camel, are of no service 
except in the peculiar climate and among the peculiar circumstances for which they 
were created. 
Among these latter animals is the monkey which is depicted in the engraving on the 
next page. This is the PIG-TAILED MACAQUE, sometimes called the Brun. 
An inhabitant of Sumatra and neighbouring parts, the Bruh is possessed of the 
activity which distinguishes the monkey tribes, and withal is endowed with a larger 
“share of intelligence than usual, even with the quadrumanous animals. The inhabitants 
of Sumatra are in the habit of capturing the Pigtailed Macaque when young, and 
training it to climb the lofty cocoa-nut palms for the purpose of gathering the fruit. 
So clever are the monkeys, and so ingenious are the teachers, that the young scholars 
are instructed to select the matured nuts only, leaving the others to ripen on the 
tree. On this account, the Bruh has been called by a name which signifies the 
“fruit-gatherer.” 
Tn ‘captivity it is generally an amusing animal, displaying to the full those traits 
of curiosity, impertinence, petty malice, and quaint humour, for which the monkeys 
are celebrated, enhanced by a spice of something that is not very far removed 
from wit. 
I have often remarked the exceeding ingenuity of this animal in planning an 
attack on some unsuspecting person, its patience in biding its time, and its prompt 
rapidity of execution, 
On one occasion, a young lady happened to pass near a cage where a pair of these 
animals were confined, and their attention was immediately drawn to some beautiful 
white feathers which she bore on her hat. Now, the monkeys were far too wise to 
betray the least emotion, and not even by a look did they show that they had even 
observed the objects on which their very hearts were fixed. But any one who knew 
the ways of monkeys could divine, by the sudden sparkle of the eye, that there was 
mischief brewing. 
For some time, all went on as usual. The two monkeys held out their paws for 
nuts, cracked them, ate the sound kernels, and flung the bad nuts at the donors, just 
as if they had nothing on their minds, and had no soul above nuts. Interested by the 
amusing pranks which the creatures were playing, the owner of the feathers incautiously 
approached within reach of the cage. 
Almost too quickly for the eye to follow, one of the Bruhs shot down the bars, 
and with a single adroit movement, whipped out one of the white feathers and leaped 
to the back of the cage. 
Seating himself on the ground, he gravely inspected his prize, turning it over in every 
direction, smelling it critically, and biting off little strips of the feather, in order to ascertain 
the flavour. Having satisfied himself on these points, he stuck the feather behind one 
of his ears, so that 1t drooped over his head in ludicrous imitation of the manner in 
which it had been fastened into the hat. Thus accoutred, he paraded about the floor of 
the cage with stately pride. 
His companion now thought himself entitled to some share in the booty, and, 
creeping up stealthily from be hind, made a sudden spring at the feather. It was quite 
useless, for the original thief was on the alert, and, putting the feather in his mouth, 
climbed up a suspended rope with wonderful agility ; and in order to guard against an 
attack from below, he coiled up the rope with his hinder feet as fast as he ascended, thus 
cutting off all communication. When he reached the ceiling, he hitched his fingers and 
toes through the staple to which the rope was attached, and thus remained for awhile in 
perfect security. 
However, even a monkey’s limbs will not maintain their hold for ever, and the Bruh 
was forced to descend. His companion was waiting for him on the floor, and, when he 
reached the ground, gave chase, the two monkeys leaping about the cage, climbing the 
bars, and swinging from the ropes in the most agile manner. 
At last they seemed to be tired of the game, and, sitting on one of the bars, amicably 
