THE VERVET MONKEY OR BLUE APE 



forward and barked. Instantly one of the monkeys 

 faced him. Disengaging her baby from her breast, 

 she passed it rapidly over her shoulder to her com- 

 panion, who was waiting ready to receive it. Snatch- 

 ing it to her breast she, with the two babies held to 

 her breast with one arm, climbed along a thick branch 

 in the cage to the most secure corner. The other, 

 with an expression of anger and defiance on her face, 

 stood ready to do battle, meanwhile giving vent to 

 loud bark- like cries. This loud peculiar cry is only 

 sounded when there is urgent need of help ; and in 

 the wild state, when this cry is heard, the females 

 with their babies flee to the securest retreats, and the 

 others at once bound off to the aid of their comrade 

 in distress. The action of the two mother monkeys 

 referred to was as human-like an act as could be 

 imagined. Both acted in unison for the saving of 

 the children . The moment the one mother faced the 

 dog, the other, instead of also coming to the attack, 

 or else retiring in fear to the inner corner of the cage, 

 instantly ran down the sloping tree trunk to the back 

 of her comrade, took charge of her baby, and 

 attempted to retire to safety, not to save herself, but 

 the lives of the children which she imagined to be 

 in danger. 



Vervet Monkeys make interesting exhibits in Zoo- 

 logical Gardens when confined in large airy cages, 

 where they can give full scope to their passion for 

 fun and frolic. They are on the move all day long, 

 and never seem to tire. 



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