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 ujider 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 chicken will meet 

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

 and 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 Lasigpyginje, which, according to 

 Elliot,* 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. 



