THE BABOON, MONKEY. 13 



very docile and tameable. It abounds in South Africa, 

 India, and Java, and often assembles at night in great troops 

 to plunder the fields of millet. The monkies, having taken 

 in their mouths as many stalks as they can hold, place 

 others under their arms and in their hands ; thus laden, 

 they return to their habitations. They are so select in 

 their plunder, that they do more mischief by the quantity 

 they throw aside, than by what they carry away. 



THE PREACHER MONKEY 



Is remarkable for the loudness of its voice, which is 

 caused by a bony process in the throat ; the noise resembles 

 the sound of a drum, and may be heard at a great distance : 

 a single monkey sets up a howl, and is joined at intervals 

 by the others in full chorus. They are active and impatient 

 of captivity. The general food of the monkey tribe is fruit 

 and vegetables, but they will also eat shell-fish. They live 

 in trees, and are remarkable for their agility, in the exercise 

 of which they seem to delight. 



MACAUCO (LEMUR). 



The lemurs resemble the monkeys in their hand-like 

 paws ; the hind legs are longer ; their heads are like those 

 of the fox ; their manners are gentle. 



There are several species in this tribe, amongst which 

 we may remark the Slow Lemur, which is about the size 

 of a small cat, of a pale brown or mouse colour. The face 

 is flattish and somewhat sharpened, the eyes are prominent, 

 and surrounded with a circle of dark brown, which colour 

 forms a stripe down the back. This animal is found in the 

 island of Ceylon, and other parts of the East Indies. In a 

 state of captivity it evinces a docile and affectionate, though 

 irritable, disposition. It sleeps during the day, and is very 

 slow in its movements. Its usual food is fruit, but it is fond 

 of grasshoppers, in the pursuit of which it appears to forget 

 its wonted indolence. It is remarkably cleanly, and licks 

 its rich fur in the manner of a cat. 



