THE INDIAN MONKEYS. 29 



after being carefully painted over with the compound, were 

 allowed to return to their distressed relatives, who, as soon 

 as they arrived, gathered round them and commenced licking 

 them with the greatest assiduity. The results I had anticipated 

 were not long in making their appearance. A more melan- 

 choly sight it was impossible to behold; but so efficacious 

 was this treatment, that for more than two years I hardly 

 ever saw a monkey in the neighbourhood." 

 The Monkey Tavernier was once travelling from Agra to 

 Aroused. Surat with the English president, when passing 

 within a few miles of Amenabad through a forest of mangoes, 

 they experienced the danger of provoking such companies. He 

 says. "We saw a vast number of very large apes, male and 

 female, many of the latter having their young in their arms. We 

 were each of us in our coaches; and the English president 

 stopped his to tell me that he had a very fine new gun; and 

 knowing that I was a good marksman, desired me to try it, 

 by shooting one of the apes. One of my servants, who was 

 a native of the country, made a sign to me not to do it; 

 and I did all that was in my power to dissuade the gentle- 

 man from his design, but to no purpose ; for he immediately 

 levelled his piece, and shot a she ape, who fell through the 

 branches of the tree on which she was sitting, her young ones 

 tumbling at the same time out of her arms on the ground. 

 We presently saw that happen which my servant apprehended; 

 for all the apes, to the number of sixty, came immediately 

 down from the trees, and attacked the president's coach with 

 such fury that they must infallibly have destroyed him if 

 all who were present had not flown to his relief, and by 

 drawing up the windows, and posting all the servants about 

 the coach, protected him from their resentment." That 

 diplomacy is better than war in dealing with bands of mon- 

 keys is shown by comparing the results of the foregoing 

 experiences. 



