52 ANIMALS OF NO IMPORTANCE. 



are fond of eating birds, so that those who keep these 

 as pets " are obliged to set them on a stick fixed in a vessel 

 full of water." 



The Abbe gives some useful hints as to how to catch 

 monkeys. " It is by this passion for imitation or mimicking 

 everything that the apes teach men the manner of catching 

 themselves. Some carry cups full of water or honey, rub 

 their faces with it before them, and in their stead dexter- 

 ously substitute glue, and then retire. The apes who see 

 them from the top of a tree or rock come down to the cups 

 to do the same, but they blind themselves, and thus put it 

 out of their power to escape. Others bring boots which they 

 put on and take off several times, and leave behind them 

 smaller ones rubbed over with glue. When they are gone, 

 the apes come and put them on, but cannot take them off or 

 get out of the hunter's way. Sometimes they bring mirrors 

 in which they view themselves in different attitudes, and 

 leave others with traps which open and shut when they are 

 touched. The ape lays hold of the glasses to look at him- 

 self, and immediately he finds his two fore-feet entangled, 

 and himself unable to walk a step." 



Although the Abbe's account of the marine monsters of 

 India does not contain so many tall stories as that of the 

 land animals, the story of the flying fish does not leave 

 much to be desired : " in summer it flies upon the moun- 

 tains ; and after autumn it takes itself to the sea, and be- 

 comes very delicate." According to the Abbe ostriches 

 abound in India. These wily birds when chased pick up 

 stones and throw them at their pursuers. The story of how 

 ostriches hatch their eggs by looking at them exceeds the 

 limits of the prelate's credulity. 



He also disbelieves in the existence of the phoenix, but 

 makes up for this unbelief by stating that there exists in 

 India a bird which lives in the midst of flames without the 

 least hurt, and obliges its young also to go into them. 

 Clothes are made from the feathers of this singular species. 

 All one has to do in order to wash such clothes is to put 



