50G THE TROPICAL WORLD. 



at a later period a complete change of character. The only 

 way, according to M. Isidore Geoffrey, to curb the temper of 

 one of these full-grown monkeys is to extract the sharp and 

 formidable canine teeth, with which it is capable of inflicting 

 the most dangerous wounds. When disarmed, it immediately 

 alters its manners, as it now feels its impotence. Several of the 

 monkeys belonging to this group are distinguished by the lively 

 colours of their fur ; that of the Diana Monkey {Cercopithecus 

 diana) among others, which is a native of Congo and Gruinea, 

 sells for a considerable price. 



Nothing can be more amusing to the disinterested spectator 

 or more provoking to the proprietor than to witness the 

 operations of a troop of Cercopitheci while plundering a dhourra 

 or maize field. Under the guidance of an old and experienced 

 male, the impudent robbers set out on their foraging expedition. 

 The female monkeys carry with them their young ones, who, 

 clasping their mother's neck with their fore-feet, sometimes 

 also wind their little caudal appendages as an additional 

 support round her tail. At first the band approaches with 

 great caution, the leader constantly at its head, and the others 

 following from branch to branch. Sometimes he climbs to the 

 top of a high tree for the purpose of reconnoitring, and finding 

 all safe, a few tranquillising guttural sounds make known to 

 his followers the satisfactory results of his inspection. Alighting 

 from the tree nearest to the field, a few leaps bring them to 

 the scene of action, where their first care is to stuff their wide 

 cheek pouches with provender as fast as they can. This done, 

 they allow tliemselves more leisure and at the same time become 

 more choice in the selection of their food. Every ear of maize 

 or dhourra after having been plucked from the plant is now 

 carefully examined, and if not approved of, thrown away. When 

 a monkey has an abundance of food at his disposal, he will spoil 

 at least ten times more than he eats. The troop now feeling 

 itself thoroughly secure, the mothers allow their young, who are 

 generally kept under strict control, to leave them and amuse 

 themselves with their play-fellows. The little creatures, who by 

 the bye are intensely ugly, have been so well brought up that 

 at the first sound of alarm they immediately return to their 

 mothers, who, like all other members of the band, implicitly rely 

 vipon the watchfulness of the leader. 



