NEGRO MONKEY. 13 



of this country ; and since his time it has been occa- 

 sionally in the travelling collections ; while to Dr. Hors- 

 field we are indebted for the only account of its na- 

 tural habits yet given to the public. " It is found in 

 abundance in the extensive forests of Java, where it 

 forms its dwellings on trees, and associates in numerous 

 societies : troops, consisting of more than fifty indi- 

 viduals, are often found together ; so that, on meeting 

 them in the forests, it is prudent to observe them at a 

 distance. On the approach of man, they emit loud 

 screams ; and by the violent bustle and commotion ex- 

 cited by their movements, branches of decayed trees are 

 frequently detached and precipitated on the spectators 

 below. Their fur is so much esteemed by the natives, 

 that they are looked upon as beasts of the chase ; in 

 these pursuits, which are generally ordered and attended 

 by the chiefs, the animals are attacked with cudgels and 

 stones, and cruelly destroyed in great numbers. The 

 skins are prepared by a simple process, which the natives 

 have acquired from the Europeans ; and they conduct it 

 at present with great skill. It affords a fur of a jet 

 black colour, covered with long silky hairs, which is 

 usefully employed both by the natives and Europeans 

 in preparing riding equipages and military decorations. 

 When young, the negro monkey feeds on tender leaves 

 of plants and trees ; and when adult, it has a plentiful 

 and varied repast in the abundance of wild fruits which 

 are produced in its native forests. The Javanese, 

 although partial to some of their native monkeys, as 

 domestic animals, appear to have a peculiar dislike to 

 this, which they neglect and despise : its disposition, 

 indeed, may have caused this prejudice. Dr. Hors- 

 field observes, that, in confinement, it requires much 

 patience to improve, in any degree, the natural sullen- 

 ness of its temper : it will remain for many months 

 grave and morose ; and as it contributes nothing to the 

 amusement of the natives, it is rarely found in the 

 villages or about the dwellings. The Javanese name is 

 Budeng. 



