THE MONKTES. 82 



and solicitude, though in part perhaps the effect of 

 greediness, apparently indicated his fear, lest I 

 should take advantage of their weakness to ensnare 

 them : and I constantly observed that those which 

 were suffered to approach me nearest, were the well- 

 grown and strong males ; the young and the females 

 were always obliged to keep at a considerable 

 distance." 



The care and tenderness of the females, in a com- 

 pletely wild state, to their offspring was very con- 

 spicuous. They hold them under a proper obedi- 

 ence and restraint ; and M. D'Obsonville has seen 

 them suckle, caress, cleanse, and search the vermiii 

 from their young, and afterwards, ctouching on 

 their hams, delight to see them play with each 

 other. These would wrestle, throw, or chase one 

 another ; and if any of them were malicious in 

 their antics, the dams would spring upon them^ 

 and seizing them with one paw by the tail, correct 

 them severely with the other. Some would try to 

 escape, but when out of danger, approached in a 

 whcedHng and caressing manner, though ever 

 liable to relapse into the same faults : in other cases j 

 each would come at the first cry of the dam. If 

 they removed to a little distance, the young would 

 follow gently ; but when there was any necessity 

 for going f^ist, they always mounted on the backs, 

 or rather huns; embraGlni2: the bellies of the females. 



Monkies are generally peaceable enough among 

 each other. In extensive, sohtary, and fertile 

 places, herds of different species sometimes chatter 

 together, but without disturbance, or any confusion 



G '2 



