306 FROM NORTH POLE TO EQUATOR. 



bits, the latter only left for the little one what was absolutely neces- 

 sary, and if it did succeed in storing something in its pouches, simply 

 opened these again and appropriated the contents to her own use. 



Unbounded as is the arrogance and self-esteem of the dog-like 

 monkeys, they are thoroughly well aware when they have done 

 wrong, that is, have done something deserving of punishment. 

 Schomburgk gives a most instructive example of this. In the Zoo- 

 logical division of the Botanic Gardens at Adelaide an old sacred 

 macaque lived in a cage with two younger members of the same 

 species, over whom, as a matter of course, he ruled despotically. 

 One day, irritated by something or other, he attacked his keeper 

 and wounded him dangerously by biting through an artery on 

 the wrist. For this Schomburgk condemned him to death, and 

 commissioned another keeper to carry out the sentence by shooting 

 him. The monkeys were quite accustomed to fire-arms, which 

 were often used in the gardens for killing injurious animals, and 

 though they knew their effect they were not disquieted in the least 

 when these were brought into their immediate neighbourhood. 

 The day after the misconduct of the old tyrant the two young 

 monkeys remained quietly at the food-trough on the appearance of 

 the keeper intrusted with the execution of their comrade, but the 

 criminal himself fled with the utmost haste into his sleeping cage, 

 and no amount of coaxing could entice him out of it. An attempt 

 was made to lure him forth by setting down food; but he did what 

 he had never done before, saw his two subjects eat up the dainty 

 fare and did not venture to take part in the meal. Not till the 

 suspected keeper had retired did he venture to creep forth, seize a 

 few crumbs, and retire in fear and trembling to his hiding-place 

 again. At length he was persuaded to come out a second time, and 

 the door of his retreat was closed. When he saw the keeper with 

 his weapon approaching, he knew that he was lost. Frantically he 

 threw himself on the door of his sleeping cage to open it if possible, 

 and not succeeding he rushed through the whole cage examining 

 every corner and space in the hope of finding a means of escape; at 

 last, seeing that there was no possibility of flight, he threw himself 

 despairingly on the ground and surrendered himself, his whole body 



