108 
NATURAL HISTORY. 
chiefs, and even the nightcaps off their heads, all of which went into the sea. When biscuit was 
toasting between the bars of the caboose, and the dried herbs boiling in the tin mugs, he would take 
the former out and carry it away, and take out the latter and trail them along the planks ; if he burnt 
his hands he desisted for a day or two ; and he often regaled the Parrots with the biscuit, biting it in 
small pieces, and feeding them with the utmost gravity. At other times he would knock their cages 
over, lick up the water thus spilled, eat the lumps of sugar, and pull the birds’ tails : and in this 
manner he killed a beautiful green Pigeon belonging to the steward, a specimen of which I never saw- 
in any collection. For this he was flogged and imprisoned three days ; and half an hour after he was 
let out I met him scampering round the deck with two blue-faced Monkeys on his back, which lie 
often carried about in this manner. When he thought flt to ride, he would watch behind a cask on 
the days the Pigs were let loose, dart on to their backs as they passed, dig his nails into them to keep 
himself on, and the faster they ran and the more they squealed the happier he seemed to be. His 
most important misdemeanours, however, were performed to the injury of his fellow Monkeys, of 
whom he was very jealous. The smaller ones were very obsequious to him, and when lie called them 
by a peculiar noise, they came, hanging their heads and looking very submissive, and in one week 
two were drowned out of sheer malice. I saw him throw the first overboard, and the poor little 
thing swam after us some time, but the ship was going too fast for even a rope to be effectually 
thrown out in the hope he would cling to it. During one of the calms we so often met with, 
the men had been painting the outside of the ship, and leaving their pots and brushes on the deck, 
went down to dinner. No one was above but myself, the helmsman, and Jack. The latter beckoned 
and coaxed a black Monkey to him ; then seizing him by the neck, took a brusliful of white paint, and 
deliberately covered him with it in every direction. The helmsman and I burst into a laugh, upon 
which Jack, dropping his victim, flew up the rigging into the maintop, where he stood with his black 
nose between the bars peeping at what was going on below. The little metamorphosed beast began 
licking himself, but the steward being summoned, he washed him with turpentine, and no harm was 
sustained. Many attempts were made to catch the rogue aloft, but he eluded all, and when he was 
driven down by hunger, he watched his opportunity and sprang from one of the ropes on to my lap, 
where he knew he should be safe. I fed and interceded for him, so he escaped with only a scolding, 
which he received with an appearance of shame which in him was rather ludicrous.” 
THE MONA MONKEY * 
The term Mona means tailed Apes or Monkeys, and it has been especially given to one 
from Senegal, which has some resemblance to the Diana, and it is mentioned here with a view 
of illustrating its mental peculiarities. They are more beautiful in colour and more elegant in 
form than the Diana, and they are sometimes more gentle, sagacious, and sharp than any other 
kind. F. Cuvier describes one which was a great favourite in the collection at Paris. Upon his 
arrival he was extremely young, and his gentleness and total want of malice and petulance gained him 
the free range of the apartment. Age did not alter the excellence of his disposition ; and as he 
increased in age and strength, his address and agility became unparalleled. Yet all Ins motions were 
gentle, and his actions circumspect; he was persevering in his wants and wishes, but never violent m 
the attempt to enforce them. When after much solicitation his requests were refused, he would go off 
in a gambol, and And entertainment in some new object. He had no idea of property, but took every 
thin" that pleased him, even such articles as had previously caused him punishment, and he committed 
his thefts with dexterity and silence. He would open locks wherein the key had been left, untie knots, 
open the links of a chain, and search pockets with so much address that you did not feel his hand 
there although conscious of the fact that he was thieving. The examination of pockets was his 
favourite occupation, doubtless from expecting to find food. He was not very affectionate, but when 
tranquil, and not engaged, he received caresses with pleasure. When tempted to play lie signified Ins 
assent by many graceful motions ; lie would throw himself into all sorts of graceful attitudes, bite 
o-ently, press himself against you, and give out a gentle cry. He never made grimaces but, on the 
contrary, his countenance was always calm, and frequently serious. He looked a perfect angel of a 
* Cercopithecus Mona. 
