NATURAL HISTORY . 
52 
arms into the air and precipitated himself from it. These actions so alarmed me for his safety that I 
gave up the contest, and on doing so he evinced the greatest satisfaction at his victory, uttering for 
several minutes the most expressive grunts and cries ; in short, he exhibited, on all occasions when 
his will was opposed, the impatient temper of a spoilt child; but even in the height of passion I never 
observed any disposition to bite or otherwise ill-treat his keeper or myself. 
“ Although he would never object to be caressed or nursed by even a stranger, yet I never saw 
him evince the slightest disposition to make the acquaintance of any other animal. At the time he 
came into my possession I had two Patas Monkeys, and thinking they might become acquainted, 1 
A VILLAGE IN THE GABOON COUNTRY. 
placed Mr. Bamboo in the same apartment, where he resided for five months, yet I never saw the least 
desire on his part to become even friendly; on the contrary, he showed evident anger and dislike at 
their approach. This strange attachment to the human race, and manifest dislike to all others, I have 
always considered one of the most extraordinary features of this genus. His cunning was also remark- 
able. On all occasions when he thought lie was unobserved, he would not fail to steal everything 
within his reach, for no other apparent purpose than to gratify a propensity for thieving ; did lie, how- 
ever, even think you were looking at him, he would wait his opportunity with the greatest patience 
before he commenced depredation. In his habits, unlike the Monkey tribe, he was exceedingly cleanly, 
never soiling his bed or any place near it; and even on board ship (during the warm weather) he never 
failed to seek the deck, unassisted, whenever the calls of nature, required it. On being left by himself 
in his piazza lie would invariably seat himself on the window-sill, which was the highest point he could 
