THE MONKEY TRIBES 253 



various fruits that in many a brilliant cluster hang from the lofty 

 trees, paying generally but little attention to what is passing below 

 them. But if any unusual sound breaks the stillness of the woods, or 

 a strange form be seen approaching their vicinity, then the female, 

 bearing their young clinging fast to them, flee away into the still 

 deeper recesses of the forest ; while the father and protector of the 

 small community, swinging rapidly from tree to tree, tearing loose 

 the vines that stretch across his passing form, advances toward the 

 object of their fears, and before imitating the rest in their speedy 

 flight, satisfies himself in regard to its presence, and then with many a 

 hideous grimace, and short hoarse call, demands to know in impatient 

 tone, who comes here? 



A Monkey's Wit. — One of the drollest instances of the monkey's 

 keenness of observation and power of mimicry that we have met with 

 is the following: A retired admiral and his wife living at Cheltenham 

 had a favorite monkey. One day the lady, hearing a strange noise in 

 the dining-room, looked in to see what it was. The sight which met 

 her eyes was a ludicrous one. Seated in the armchair, with the 

 admiral's smoking-cap on his head, and the admiral's spectacles on his 

 nose, was the monkey; and in his hand was the open newspaper, which 

 he shook and patted, whilst he jabbered and gesticulated with great 

 emphasis at the cat which lay blinking on the hearth-rug. It was a 

 clever and carefully-studied imitation of the testy old admiral's tone 

 and manner when reading to his wife some passage from the news- 

 paper which excited his wrath or indignation. 



