52 MAMMALS 



mals will test it severely at times. If the monkey is par- 

 ticularly tame, so that it may frequently be allowed its 

 liberty, either under the supervision of its owner or con- 

 trolled by a light collar and chain, its cage need not be so 

 large. 



Some individuals like a sleeping-box, placed near the top 

 of the cage. Strong branches and swings may be adjusted 

 according to conditions. The floor should be covered 

 with sawdust and a bunch of hay or straw placed in one 

 corner for a bed. 



When first received, monkeys are not infrequently trou- 

 bled with various external parasites. They may be freed 

 from these by a bath in water containing creolin or some 

 similar substance, after which they must be thoroughly 

 dried. Insect powder sprinkled in the hair is also a good 

 remedy. 



While the diet of monkeys in the wild state varies some- 

 what, according to species, most are omnivorous in cap- 

 tivity. Vegetables, raw or cooked, boiled rice, ripe fruit — 

 such as bananas, oranges, sweet apples, etc. — stale bread 

 and an occasional bit of well-cooked chickeil will meet 

 the needs of all. The food should be as varied as possible, 

 arid given two or three times daily. Over-feeding is to be 

 avoided here, as in other groups. Most monkeys will drink 

 fresh milk, to which a raw egg may be added now and then. 

 Clean water should be provided at all times. 



The monkey which is most abundant in the American 

 market is the Rhesus (Pithecus rhesus). This species 

 belongs to the family Lasiopygin^, which, according to 

 ElHot,* includes all of the Old World monkeys, with the 

 exception of the great man-like forms. It is the commonest 

 monkey of India, ranging from the hot plains to a com- 

 paratively high elevation in the Himalayan foothills. It is 



* Elliot, D. G.: A Review of the Primates, 1912, Vol. II, p. 213. 



