FEIGNING DEATH. 311 



if we supplement it with our knowledge concerning the 

 recently discovered facts of kataplexy,* 



On the other hand, not to shirk a difficulty, I have some re- 

 markable evidence whicli tends to show that certain monkeys , 

 sham dead with the deliberate purpose, not of escaping from; ! 

 enemies, but of deceiving intended victims. Here, of course 

 there can be no terror and no kataplexy, so that if we accept 

 the evidence of the fact we must seek for some other expla- 

 nation. 



Thompson gives in his " Passions of Animals " (pp. 455- 

 7), the case of a captive monkey which was tied to a long 

 upright pole of bamboo in the jungles of Tillicherry, The 

 ring at the end of its chain fitting loosely to the slippery 

 pole, the animal was able to ascend and descend the latter at 

 pleasure. He was in the habit of sitting on the top of the 

 pole, and the crows taking advantage of his elevated position, 

 used to steal his food which was placed every morning and 

 evening at the foot of the pole. " To this he had vainly 

 expressed his dislike by chattering, and other indications of 

 his displeasure equally ineffectual ; but they continued their 

 periodical depredations. Finding that he was perfectly un- 

 heeded, he adopted a plan of retribution as effectual as it was 

 ingenious. One morning when his tormenters had been par- 

 ticularly troublesome, he appeared as if seriously indisposed ; 

 he closed his eyes, dropped his head and exhibited various 

 other symptoms of severe suffering. No sooner were his 

 ordinary rations placed at the foot of the bamboo, than the 

 crows watching their opportunity, descended in great num- 

 bers, and according to their usual custom, began to demolish 

 his provisions. The monkey began now to descend the pole 

 by slow degrees as if the effort were painful to him, and as if 

 so overcome by indisposition that his remaining strength was 

 scarcely equal to such an exertion. When he reached the 

 ground he rolled about for some time, seeming in great agony, 

 until he found himself close to the vessel employed to con- 

 tain his food which the crows had by this time well nigh 

 devoured. There was still, however, some remaining, which 

 a solitary bird, emboldened by the apparent indisposition of 

 the monkey, advanced to seize. The wily creature was at 

 this time lying in a state of apparent insensibility at the 



* The winking of the wolf's eye, mentioned by Captain Lyon, would be 

 quite compatible with a certain phase of the hypnotic state. 



