OBSERVATIONS ON MAMMALS 245 



monkeys used regularly to utilize a long pendant 

 branch as though it were a rope to swing themselves 

 across a wide canal. Their food seems to be ex- 

 clusively of a vegetable nature. They are continually 

 munching the young shoots, leaves, buds and flowers 

 of the trees, pulling at the roots, turning up the stones 

 for seeds, or robbing the grain from the husbandman's 

 field. The sexes come together in September, but 

 there is no disintegration of the herd ; in March 

 the young are born, a single offspring at each birth. 

 At first the young is carried in the mother's arms ; 

 later it clings into her hairy coat, and either hangs 

 suspended from her belly or rides astride upon her 

 back. They have different notes and intonations in 

 accordance with the emotions and excitements of 

 the time. The usual cry is a plaintive wailing note. 

 It is answered by the other members of the herd ; 

 it is the note of alarm that spreads the news whenever 

 danger is near. The sound of a quarrel is placed 

 in a higher pitch. A shrill vibrating hiss is the 

 voice of anger and fight, while a hoarse growl is 

 the note of defiance towards an intruder. The 

 largest males are powerful beasts. They are heavy 

 and massive, with stout muscular arms, bright red 

 faces and thick hairy coats. They often lead and 

 direct the movements of the herd. They permit of 

 no interference. They exert authority, maintain 

 discipline, intervene in quarrels, chastise offenders, 

 settle family disputes. The herd is obedient to their 

 rule, and strife for a time fades away beneath their 

 sway. 



I observed a few interesting facts connected with 

 their instincts. I once had a female of this species 



