580 MAMMALIA. 



an instinct for thieving and pillage as from the demands oi 

 hunger, for they destroy or damage all that they cannot carry oft. 

 They go about the destruction of gardens in the same manner as 

 the Magots : that is to say, they charge some one of their number 

 to collect the spoil, which is quickly passed from hand to hand. 

 The surprise of the planter who finds himself face to face with 

 this pillaging tribe may be left to the imagination. 



The Guenons perfectly withstand the climate of Europe, and 

 even breed in our menageries. They have, therefore, been care- 

 fully studied, and a number of interesting observations have been 

 collected concerning them. 



It has been remarked that these Monkeys form two groups, 

 which are rendered very distinct from each other by the organic 

 characters and natural habits allotted to each. Those of the first 

 group resemble the Macacus in their long muzzle, their slightly 

 squat figure, their relatively short tail, and their aggressive 

 temper in adult life. The only means of taming them, when they 

 have reached this period of their existence, consists, according 

 to Isidore Geofiroy Saint-Hilaire, in sawing ofi" their enormous 

 canine teeth, the wounds from which are dangerous ; the animal 

 has from this moment a consciousness of its weakness, and, there- 

 fore, behaves better. To the second group belong the Cerco- 

 pitheci, more slender in figure, with shorter muzzles, a longer tail, 

 and a less ferocious disposition. They are more sought after for 

 pets than are the members of the preceding division. 



Notwithstanding these physical and moral differences, all the 

 Monkeys belonging to this genus are conceived on the same 

 plan, and possess the same fundamental organisation. We 

 may cite, as distinctive traits in their character, whatever the 

 species may be, an extreme vivacity and quickness of movement in 

 their gait as also in their sensitiveness. 



Is. Geoffrey Saint-Hilaire says : — " They have a singular 

 aptitude in passing from gaiety, which is otherwise their usual 

 state, to melancholy, from melancholy to joy, and from joy 

 to anger, in a few seconds, and from the slightest causes. We see 

 them ardently desirous of obtaining a certain object, testify in o- the 

 liveliest pleasure if allowed to possess it, and almost immediately 

 after throwing it away with indifference, or breaking it in a fit of 

 ra^e. We also see them delighting in the society of another 



