232 THE STORY OF THE MONKEY, 



same thing, and makes me think that there may be truth in the stones of 

 their throwing fruit at people from trees. 



In confinement the monkey is generally docile, good-tempered and 

 amenable to instruction. A specimen in a zoological garden was said to be 

 a most importunate beggar; but instead of snatching the contributions of 

 his visitors with violence or anger, like the generality of monkeys, he solicited 

 them by tumbling, dancing, and a hundred other amusing tricks. He was 

 very fond of being caressed, and would examine the hands of his friends 

 with great gentleness and gravity, trying to pick out the little hairs, and all 

 the while expressing his satisfaction by smacking his lips, and uttering a 

 low surprised grunt. 



Monkeys as a rule travel in bands in the wild state. The herds vary in 

 number; some cannot include much less than from two hundred and fifty 

 to three hundred monkeys of all ages. The old males usually take the lead 

 when the troop is moving; some of them also bringing up the rear; others 

 placing themselves on high rocks or bushes, and keeping a sharp lookout 

 after enemies. A troop collected on a rocky crag presents a most singular 

 appearance. Whenever they assemble in the evening every jutting rock, 

 every little stone more prominent than the rest is occupied by a patriarch 

 of the herd, who sits with gravity and watchfulness befitting his grizzled 

 hair, waiting patiently for the march to begin anew. The females are mainly 

 occupied in taking care of the young; the smaller monkeys amusing them- 

 selves by gamboling about. Occasionally, if a young monkey becomes too 

 noisy, or interferes with the repose of his seniors, he "catches it" in most 

 unmistakable style, and is dismissed with many cufifs, a wiser if not a better 

 monkey. 



Sometimes battles take place among the monkeys in the wild state, when 

 it is surprising to witness the rapidity with which they will follow an ofifender 

 down a stupendous precipice, or from the top of a lofty tree; tumbling- 

 one after another they descend hundreds of feet in a moment or two. The 

 object of the popular wrath sometimes escapes, but in this event he is never 

 permitted to return, becoming an exile. . He often attaches himself to 

 another group or band, where after a short probation he is received on 

 good behavior. Should, however, the hapless member of the tribe be caught 

 he is punished with death. The various troops rarely indulge in pitched 

 battles with other bands, preferring to turn back in their course when their 

 paths cross. 



The member of the simian tribe with his natty red coat and twinkling 



