MONA'EYS. 57 



ment. A more difficult feat was that of " Polly," in her imitation of 

 an acrobat, in a backward spring. Jumping forwards from the perch 

 to the side of the cage, she sprang backwards, and in an instant 

 regained the perch. " Jenny " was observed to watch the performance 

 of this feat with interest, and to essay its execution ; but her attempts 

 were clumsy and unsuccessful when compared with those of hei more 

 agile neighbour. 



The trait of curiosity has, of course, been frequently noted as a 

 prominent mental character of most monkeys. I can vouch for the 

 fact that my entire monkey-family became at once interested in any 

 novel or unusual operation which was being carried on in the kitchen 

 in which they resided. " Jenny " in particular, and the others in a 

 less degree, were also extremely quick to notice any new article of 

 attire which the members of my household might exhibit. Articles 

 of jewelry, seen for the first time, attracted especial notice. A new 

 pair of earrings, or a new cap, was at once recognised as novel ; and 

 efforts were usually made to grasp the desired object. Strangers 

 introduced to the monkeys were often surprised at the varying recep- 

 tions they received. I soon noticed the curious fact that certain 

 persons were received from the first with dislike, whilst others appa- 

 rently made a favourable impression on the inmates of the cage. 

 One individual appeared to be hated by the collective cage ; whilst 

 another friend was played with and evidently fondled by " Paddy," 

 the capuchin, who as a rule was singularly shy of strangers. For a 

 dead newt from my aquarium, or a live grass-snake, the entire cage 

 entertained an extreme horror. The mere sight of the snake elicited 

 scr earns from the whole family, and a retreat to the sleeping box was 

 the invariable result of the ophidian's appearance. The abhorrence 

 exhibited by monkeys for snakes is, of course, a perfectly natural 

 instinct of these animals ; in their native haunts, they must learn to 

 fear and avoid these reptiles. " Sammy," the capuchin, exhibited a 

 high degree of curiosity, and performed a large number of clever 

 tricks. He played with a ball like a child ; shook hands with visitors ; 

 and when provided with a cloth and water, he washed his dish, a feat 

 also performed by a capuchin named " Tommy," which lived for a 

 very short time only in my possession. " Sammy," if furnished with a 

 hammer and tacks, duly utilised both in the familiar fashion, thus 

 showing a faculty of imitation of the purest kind. 



Various writers have spoken of the behaviour of monkeys to their 

 ailing and dead companions. Mr. Darwin gives instances of the 

 grief of female monkeys for the death of their young. Certain female 

 monkeys kept by Brehm, in North Africa, died from grief conse- 

 quent on the death of their young. An instance is narrated in which 

 a female monkey having been shot, the leader of the troop came to 

 the door of the tent and mourned for the body, after indulging in a 



