THE FOUR-FINGERED MONKEY. 



tail from the branches, and form a link, in order to reach the neighbouring 

 tree; and, at other times, it would hold an apple in its tail, to the great 

 delight of the fpeclators, who amufed themfelves with throwing fruit to it 

 and obferving its lingular geltures. 



Notwithstanding the air of melancholy which feems imprefTed on the 

 countenances of thefe animals, they are in reality extremely vivacious, and 

 fufficiently daring to attack a tingle traveller. They are, however, greatly 

 terrified at Dogs, whofe prefence they feduloufly avoid, and the difcharge of 

 a gun puts the bolder! of them to immediate flight. Indeed they pofTefs but 

 a fmall lhare of real bravery, as, notwithftanding their frequent lkirmilh.es, 

 they always run away in time of danger. 



Thefe animals are very numerous in Guinea, where they walk together 

 in great troops, and fubfifi: on fruits, (principally that of the palm tree,) 

 worms, infects, &c. We are likewife allured that, by the afTiftance of their 

 tails, they are able to catch filh, and know extremely well how to open the 

 mell of an oyfter, fo as to get at the contents. 



If an individual of this defcription be wounded with an arrow, he will 

 draw it out, and throw it, in revenge, at the perfon who difcharged it. If 

 he is wounded by a gun, his comrades exhibit many figns of terror, and 

 inftantly carry him under a tree, where they endeavour, by holding their 

 hands over the wound, to Hop the effufion of blood: but, when mortally 

 wounded, he will cling by his hands and tail to the branches, and continue 

 thus fulpended a considerable time after he is dead. 



It feems a difficult talk to kill one of thefe animals, even after they are 

 brought to the ground; as they are more tenacious of existence than other 

 quadrupeds, and in the time of extreme danger make fo Strong an appeal, by 

 their looks and motions, to the humanity of their disturbers, as fometimes 

 compels the young and generous fportfman to relinquiih his amufement in 

 favour of the fpecies. When the Four-fingered Monkey finds himfelf in 

 the power of his enemy, he Stretches forth his arms towards him, looks in 

 his face with unfpeakable earnettnefs, and, moving his jaws, feems to 

 petition for mercy. Thefe expreffive looks and geltures, from an animal 

 fo refembling man, are well adapted to roufe the tenderer!: emotions in 



