'210 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Description Centinels. 



not one of which uttered the slightest cry, 

 although they had before assembled along with 

 the rest, ground their teeth at him, and assumed 

 a menacing aspect. 



THE CHINESE MONKEY. 



THE Chinese monkey derives its name from 

 the singular disposition of the hair on the top of 

 its head, which is parted in the middle, lying 

 smooth over each side, and spreading out in a 

 circular direction., so as to bear some resemblance 

 to a Chinese cap. It has a long tail, and is 

 about the size of a cat. The colour is a pale yel- 

 lowish brown. 



These animals are found in immense troops in 

 the woods of Ceylon, where they are very destruc- 

 tive to such gardens and plantations as lie within 

 the reach of their settlements. In their depre- 

 dations on the sugar grounds, a centinel is 

 always placed in some adjoining tree, while the 

 rest load themselves with the booty. Upon the 

 first appearance of danger or intrusion, he screams 

 out to his companions, who, carrying as many 

 canes as they can grasp with their right paw, in- 

 stantly run off on three legs. When closely pur- 

 sued, they chop their prize, and endeavour to 

 save themselves by scrambling up the trees. 



Their favourite food consists of fruits and suc- 

 plants; but when these fail, they eat in- 



