THE SAMANGO MONKEY 



and left, meanwhile talking in an excited manner 

 in monkey language. Two or three of the Vervets 

 secured some fruit and sprang aloft to the perches 

 with it ; but the Samango relentlessly pursued 

 them until they dropped the fruit. With a grunt 

 of satisfaction the pursuer descended to the floor to 

 feed in peace. The second time fruit or nuts were 

 scattered in a similar way, there was the same im- 

 pulsive rush, but a warning cry from the Samango 

 sent the Vervets in terror back to their perches. 

 After this, a scowl and a grunt were sufficient to 

 intimidate any of the Vervets who attempted to 

 snatch up a morsel of food from the ground, while 

 the aristocratic Samango was dining. 



The home of the Samango is in the darkest and 

 gloomiest recesses of the forests, and wooded gorges. 

 In the wild state it never associates with the Vervet, 

 and seldom leaves its secluded leafy retreats ; con- 

 sequently unless driven by desperate hunger it 

 does not interfere with growing crops, except occa- 

 sionally in Zululand, for instance, where the culti- 

 vated fields are adjacent to the forests. 



The Zulus prize the skin of the Samango highly. 

 They prepare and convert it into a loin covering, 

 known as Umutsha. Before the annexation of 

 Zululand by the British, the skin of the Samango 

 formed a portion of the distinguishing dress of 

 one of the King's regiments of soldiers ; and in 

 order to supply the demand, the Samango was 

 relentlessly hunted and killed. 



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