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THE STORY OF THE MONKEY . 
same thing, and makes me think that there may be truth in the stories of 
their throwing fruit at people from trees. 
In confinement the monkey is generally docile, good-tempered and 
amenable to instruction. A specimen in a zoological garden was said to be 
a most importunate beggar; but instead of snatching the contributions of 
his visitors with violence or anger, like the generality of monkeys, he solicited 
them by tumbling, dancing, and a hundred other amusing tricks. He was 
very fond of being caressed, and would examine the hands of his friends 
with great gentleness and gravity, trying to pick out the little hairs, and all 
the while expressing his satisfaction by smacking his lips, and uttering a 
low surprised grunt. 
Monkeys as a rule travel in bands in the wild state. The herds vary in 
number; some cannot include much less than from two hundred and fifty 
to three hundred monkeys of all ages. The old males usually take the lead 
when the troop is moving; some of them also bringing up the rear; others 
placing themselves on high rocks or bushes, and keeping a sharp lookout 
after enemies. A troop collected on a rocky crag presents a most singular 
appearance. Whenever they assemble in the evening every jutting rock, 
every little stone more prominent than the rest is occupied by a patriarch 
of the herd, who sits with gravity and watchfulness befitting his grizzled 
hair, waiting patiently for the march to begin anew. The females are mainly 
occupied in taking care of the young; the smaller monkeys.amusing them¬ 
selves by gamboling about. Occasionally, if a young monkey becomes too 
noisy, or interferes with the repose of his seniors, he “catches it” in most 
unmistakable style, and is dismissed with many cuffs, a wiser if not a better 
monkey. 
Sometimes battles take place among the monkeys in the wild state, when 
it is surprising to witness the rapidity with which they will follow an offender 
down a stupendous precipice, or from the top of a lofty tree; tumbling- 
one after another they descend hundreds of feet in a moment or two. The 
object of the popular wrath sometimes escapes, but in this event he is never 
permitted to return, becoming an exile. He often attaches himself to 
another group or band, where after a. short probation he is received on 
good behavior. Should, however, the hapless member of the tribe be caught 
he is punished with death. The various troops rarely indulge in pitched 
battles with other bands, preferring to turn back in their course when their 
paths cross. 
The member of the simian tribe with his natty red coat and twinkling 
