IJO APES AXD MONKEYS 



and closer about her wasting form ; but she bore it with a 

 patience worthy of a human being. 



The sympathy and forbearance of Aaron were again 

 called into action, and the demand was not in vain. Hour 

 after hour he sat holding her locked in his arms, as he is 

 seen in the portrait given herewith. He was not posing 

 for a picture, nor was he aware how deeply his manners 

 touched the human heart. Even the brawny men who 

 work about the place paused to watch him in his tender 

 offices to her, and his staid keeper was moved to pity by 

 his kindness and his patience. For days she lingered on 

 the verge of death. She became too feeble to sit up ; but 

 as she lay on her bed of straw, he sat by her side, resting 

 his folded arms upon her and refusing to allow any one to 

 touch her. His look of deep concern showed that he felt 

 the gravity of her case in a degree that bordered on grief. 

 He was grave and silent, as if he foresaw the sad end that 

 was near at hand. My frequent visits were a source of 

 comfort to him, and he evinced a pleasure in my coming 

 that bespoke his confidence in me and his faith in my abil- 

 ity to relieve his suffering companion ; but, alas ! she was 

 beyond the aid of human skill. 



On the morning of her decease I found him sitting by 

 her as usual. At my approach he quietly rose to his feet 

 and advanced to the front of the cage. Opening the door, 

 I put my arm in and caressed him. He looked into my 

 face and then at the prostrate form of his mate. The last 

 dim sparks of life were not yet gone out, as the slight 

 motion of the breast betrayed ; but the limbs were cold 

 and limp. While I leaned over to examine more closely, 



