248 THE STORY OF THE MONKEY, 



Of this fruit they waste a vast quantity, throwing the rejected rinds on the 

 ground below. 



THE ACROBATIC MONKEY. 



The Agile Gibbon is a native of Sumatra. This species, too, is included 

 in the man-like apes. It derives its name of Agile, from the wonderful 

 activity it displays in launching itself through the air from branch to 

 branch. One of these creatures, that was exhibited some time since, sprang 

 with the greatest ease through distances of twelve and eighteen feet; and 

 when apples or nuts were thrown to her while in the air, she would catcli 

 them without discontinuing her course. She kept up a succession of springs, 

 hardly touching the branches in her progress, continually uttering a musical 

 but almost deafening cry. She was very tame and gentle, and would permit 

 herself to be touched or caressed. The height of the gibbon is about three 

 feet, and the reach of the extended arms about six feet. The young gibbon 

 is of a paler color than its parent. 



THE LONG-NOSE MONKEY. 



The kahau, or proboscis monkey, is a native of Borneo. It derives its 

 name fro^m the cry it utters, which is a repetition of the word "kahau." It 

 is remarkable for the extraordinary size and shape of its nose, and the 

 natives relate that while leaping it holds that organ with its paws, apparently 

 to guard it against the branches. It is not an animal of very captivating 

 appearance; but when it has been macerated in spirits of wine for a few 

 months, its ugliness is quite supernatural. Naturalists formerly supposed 

 that there were two species of this animal — the nose of one being aquiline 

 and that of the other being slightly turned up. It was discovered, however, 

 that the latter animal was only the young kahau, whose little nose had not 

 reached its full beauty. The length of the animal from the head to the tip 

 of the tail is about four feet four inches; and its general color is a sandy 

 red, relieved by yellow cheeks and a yellow stripe over the shoulders. 



THE SACRED MONKEYS OF INDIA. 



The monkey called the Entellus is held sacred in some parts of India, 

 particularly in Lower Bengal. The origin of the extreme veneration, which 

 multitudes cherish for this animal, is involved in the obscurity of their early 



