NATURE NOTES 
1 14 
time has been afforded them, and the work of blotting out these 
beautiful innocent creatures is steadily proceeding. Where are 
our leading naturalists ? The men whose words would carry 
weight — can they do nothing ? Why not prohibit the destruc- 
tion for a time, before it is too late ? 
Clearly at the present rate the total extinction of that 
“ article of commerce ” is imminent, so that upon the lower 
ground of commerce alone a close time should be established. 
There are, however, other reasons why the extinction should be 
stopped. In February, 1893, many parts of the Colony were 
visited by large swarms of locusts, and at A^ccra they took about 
three hours passing over the town, whilst in the Kwitta district 
much damage was done to the crops. Monkeys are great 
destroyers of insects, and for this reason their presence may be 
of great service, and their extermination may prove a calamity. 
Anyone who has watched a mother monkey tending her young 
one, and has noted the tender care and devoted attention which 
she pays to it, cannot but be touched with the intensely human 
side of their character. I am absolutely convinced that they 
possess a very high order of intellect, and are capable of 
reasoning, for I could quote instances which have come under 
my own observation which clearly prove this to be the case, 
in individuals at least. They are intensely sensitive and 
affectionate, and their devotion to their mates is such that if 
separated they will often pine away and die. The memory of 
one little companion which would sit by me and look up into 
my face, or seated on my shoulder would twine its long soft 
tail round my neck, leads me to write this, in the hope that it 
may meet the eye of someone whose hand will be more powerful 
than mine to check this heartless butchery — for the Gold Coast 
is rich in some of the most beautiful forms of monkeys, 
which will doubtless all sooner or later fall a prey to the trade 
gunners. Robert Morley. 
REVIEWS AND EXCHANGES. 
Biographical Index of British and Irish Botanists. By James Britten, K. S.G., 
K.L.S., and G. S. Boulger, P'.L.S., F.G.S. First Supplement {1893-97). 
London: West, Newman, & Co., 1899. Price is. 6d. net. 
Tliis index of botanists dead and gone is one of the most useful compilations 
for a working naturalist. The wrong people so often make themselves responsible 
for work of this sort that it is a matter for congratulation that not only the right 
man but tbe right two men have found this task to their hand. An index or a 
catalogue is in the first degree a thing to be found fault with ; all the fighting 
and carping instincts in the mere human being are roused at the mere sight of 
an index. The average man hays aside promptly the most absorbing work and 
neglects appointments merely to test an index, and he discovers the first error 
with unholy joy. The present writer has spent some hours in this sportsmanlike 
pursuit without result so far, but he h.as not by any means given up hope. It is 
biographical pemmican that has to be digested, e.g. : — 
