THE SPIDER MONKEY. 



131 



tween her posts, there was never a creature so 

 delighted. She had watched the family lying in 

 hammocks in the corridor, and knew at once 

 how to use it, and she could hardly be induced 

 to leave it, night or day. 



Monkeys differ as well as men. I have known 

 those I would not have in the house, but my pet 

 was naturally neat ; her ways from the first were 

 almost civilized. Nothing annoyed her more than 

 soiled or sticky fingers, and much as she liked 

 syrup she often hesitated to take it, on account 

 of the inevitable daubing. She did not use her 

 long hair for a napkin either, but rubbed her 

 hands against a post, or — sad to say — upon 

 the dress of any lady who chanced to be near 

 enough. 



One of the most interesting sights was Gila 

 in her morning bath. It was a shower from a 

 watering-pot, and she sat perfectly still during 

 the operation, rubbing herself all over, arms, 

 back, and leg, like a well-trained child. Then 

 she was brushed and combed, till dry and shin- 

 ing. But in spite of all her civilized ways, she 

 could never be cured of a love of pranks. Her 

 fingers fairly ached to be doing something, and 

 her head, though small, held brains enough to 

 be full of suggestions. No chance for mischief 

 ever escaped her quick eye or was unimproved. 

 If a woman came into the court to sell vegeta- 



