HEAD OF PROBOSCIS MONKEY.Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons.HEAD OF PROBOSCIS MONKEY.A native of Borneo. Next to the orang-utan, the most striking monkey in the Malay Archipelago.
Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons.HEAD OF PROBOSCIS MONKEY.A native of Borneo. Next to the orang-utan, the most striking monkey in the Malay Archipelago.
Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons.
HEAD OF PROBOSCIS MONKEY.
A native of Borneo. Next to the orang-utan, the most striking monkey in the Malay Archipelago.
This great family of true monkeys contains the Sacred Monkeys, or Langurs, of India, the Guerezas and Guenons of Africa, the Mangabeys, Macaques, and Baboons. Most of them have naked, hard patches of skin on the hindquarters, and the partition between the nostrils is narrow. Some have tails, some none, and they exhibit the most astonishing differences of size and shape. Perhaps the most grotesque and astonishing of them all is theProboscis Monkey. It is allied to the langurs, and is a native of the island of Borneo, to which it is confined; its home is the west bank of the Sarawak River. It is an arboreal creature, living in small companies. Mr. Hose, who saw them in their native haunts, says that the proboscis monkeys kept in the trees overhanging the river, and were most difficult to shoot. "I saw altogether about 150 of these monkeys, and without a single exception all were in trees over the water, either lake, river, or in submerged forest. As long as they are in sight, they are very conspicuous objects, choosing the most commanding positions on open tree-tops. Once I saw thirteen in one tree, sitting lazily on the branches, as is their habit, sunning themselves, and enjoying the scenery." They are very striking animals in colour, as well as in form. The face is cinnamon-brown, the sides marked with reddish brown and white, the belly white, the back red-brown and dark brown. Next to the orang-utan, these are the most striking monkeys in the Malay Archipelago.
The greater number of the species intermediate between the gibbons and the New World species are called"Dog-shaped" Monkeys. We wonder why? Only the baboon and a few others are in the least like dogs. The variousSacred Monkeysof India are often seen in this country, and are quite representative of the "miscellaneous" monkeys in general. Most of them have cheek-pouches, a useful monkey-pocket. They poke food into their pouches, which unfold to be filled, or lie flat when not wanted; and with a pocketful of nuts or rice on either side of their faces, they can scream, eat, bite, or scold quite comfortably, which they could not do with their mouths full. The pouchless monkeys have only their big stomachs to rely on.
TheEntellus Monkeyis the most sacred of all in India. It is grey above and nutty brown below, long-legged and active, a thief and an impudent robber. In one of the Indian cities they became such a nuisance that the faithful determined to catch and send away some hundreds. This was done, and the holy monkeys were deported in covered carts, and released many miles off. But the monkeys were too clever. Having thoroughly enjoyed their ride, they all refused to part with the carts, and, hopping and grimacing, came leaping all the way backbeside them to the city, grateful for their outing. One city obtained leave to kill the monkeys; but the next city then sued them for "killing their deceased ancestors." In these monkey-infested cities, if one man wishes to spite another, he throws a few handfuls of rice on to the roof of his house about the rainy season. The monkeys come, find the rice, and quietly lift off many of the tiles and throw them away, seeking more rice in the interstices.
CROSS-BEARING LANGUR AND YOUNG.Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons.CROSS-BEARING LANGUR AND YOUNG.A forest monkey of Borneo.
Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons.CROSS-BEARING LANGUR AND YOUNG.A forest monkey of Borneo.
Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons.
CROSS-BEARING LANGUR AND YOUNG.
A forest monkey of Borneo.
This is not the monkey commonly seen in the hills and at Simla. The large long-tailed monkey there is theHimalayan Langur, one of the common animals of the hills. "The langur," says Mr. Lockwood Kipling in his "Beast and Man in India," "is, in his way, a king of the jungle, nor is he often met with in captivity. In some parts of India troops of langurs come bounding with a mighty air of interest and curiosity to look at passing trains, their long tails lifted like notes of interrogation; but frequently, when fairly perched on a wall or tree alongside, they seem to forget all about it, and avert their heads with an affectation of languid indifference."
In India no distinction is made between monkeys. It is an abominable act of sacrilege to kill one of any kind. In the streets holy bulls, calves, parrakeets, sparrows, and monkeys all rob the shops. One monkey-ridden municipality sent off its inconvenient but holy guests by rail, advising the stationmaster to let them loose at the place to which they were consigned.The station, Saharanpur, was a kind of Indian Crewe, and the monkeys got into the engine-sheds and workshops among the driving-wheels and bands. One got in the double roof of an inspection-car, and thence stole mutton, corkscrews, camp-glasses, and dusters. Among many other interesting and correct monkey stories of Mr. Kipling's is the following: "The chief confectioner of Simla had prepared a most splendid bride-cake, which was safely put by in a locked room, that, like most back rooms in Simla, looked out on the mountain-side. It is little use locking the door when the window is left open. When they came to fetch the bride-cake, the last piece of it was being handed out of the window by a chain of monkeys, who whitened the hill-side with its fragments."
From India to Ceylon is no great way, yet in the latter island different monkeys are found. The two best known are theWhite-bearded Wanderoo Monkeyand theGreat Wanderoo. Both are grave, well-behaved monkeys. The former has white whiskers and a white beard, and looks so wise he is called in LatinNestor, after the ancient counsellor of the Greeks. Nice, clean little monkeys are these, and pretty pets. The great wanderoo is rarer. It lives in the hills. "A flock of them," says Mr. Dallas, "will take possession of a palm-grove, and so well can they conceal themselves in the leaves that the whole party become invisible. The presence of a dog excites their irresistible curiosity, and in order to watch his movements they never fail to betray themselves. They may be seen congregated on the roof of a native hut. Some years ago the child of a European clergyman, having been left on the ground by a nurse, was bitten and teased to death by them. These monkeys have only one wife." Near relatives of the langurs are the two species ofSnub-nosed Monkeys, one of which (see figure onpage 18) inhabits Eastern Tibet and North-western China, and the other the valley of the Mekong.
MALE HIMALAYAN LANGUR.Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons.MALE HIMALAYAN LANGUR.A king of the Jungle, not often met with in captivity.
Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons.MALE HIMALAYAN LANGUR.A king of the Jungle, not often met with in captivity.
Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons.
MALE HIMALAYAN LANGUR.
A king of the Jungle, not often met with in captivity.
The Guerezas and Guenons.
GELADA BABOONS AT HOMEGELADA BABOONS AT HOMEThis photograph is probably unique, as a gelada baboon has been rarely seen. It shows them at home looking for food on the ground under the bamboos and palms. It was taken by Lord Delamere in the East African jungle.
GELADA BABOONS AT HOMEThis photograph is probably unique, as a gelada baboon has been rarely seen. It shows them at home looking for food on the ground under the bamboos and palms. It was taken by Lord Delamere in the East African jungle.
GELADA BABOONS AT HOME
This photograph is probably unique, as a gelada baboon has been rarely seen. It shows them at home looking for food on the ground under the bamboos and palms. It was taken by Lord Delamere in the East African jungle.
Among the ordinary monkeys of the Old World are some with very striking hair and colours. TheGuerezaof Abyssinia has bright white-and-black fur, with long white fringes on the sides. This is the black-and-white skin fastened by the Abyssinians to their shields, and, if we are not wrong, by the Kaffirs also. Among theGuenons, a large tribe of monkeys living in the African forests, many of which find their way here as "organ monkeys," is theDiana, a most beautiful creature, living on the Guinea Coast. It has a white crescent on its forehead, bluish-grey fur, a white beard, and a patch of brilliant chestnut on the back, the belly white and orange. A lady, Mrs. Bowditch, gives the following account of a Diana monkey on board ship. It jumped on to her shoulder, stared into her face, and then made friends, seated itself on her knees, and carefully examined her hands. "He then tried to pull off my rings, when I gave him some biscuits, and making a bed for him with my handkerchief he then settled himself comfortably to sleep; and from that moment we were sworn allies. When mischievous, he was often banished to a hen-coop. Much more effect was produced by taking him in sight of the panther, who always seemed most willing to devour him. On these occasions I held him by the tail before the cage; but long before I reached it, knowing where he was going, he pretended to be dead. His eyes were closed quite fast, and every limb was as stiff as though there were no life in him. When taken away, he would open one eye a little, to see whereabouts he might be; but if he caught sight of the panther's cage it was instantly closed, and he became as stiff as before." This monkey stole the men's knives, tools, and handkerchiefs, and even their caps, which he threw into the sea. He would carefully feed the parrots, chewing up biscuit and presenting them the bits; and he caught another small monkey and painted it black! Altogether, he must have enlivened the voyage. TheGrivet Monkey, theGreen Monkey, theMona Monkey, and theMangabeyare other commonly seen African species.
MANTLED GUEREZA.Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons.MANTLED GUEREZA.This group of monkeys supplies the "monkey muffs" once very fashionable. The species with white plumes is used to decorate the Kaffir shields.
Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons.MANTLED GUEREZA.This group of monkeys supplies the "monkey muffs" once very fashionable. The species with white plumes is used to decorate the Kaffir shields.
Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons.
MANTLED GUEREZA.
This group of monkeys supplies the "monkey muffs" once very fashionable. The species with white plumes is used to decorate the Kaffir shields.
The Macaques.
TheMacaques, of which there are many kinds, from the Rock of Gibraltar to far Japan, occupy the catalogue between the guenon and the baboon. TheCommon Macaqueand many others have tails. Those of Japan, and some of those of China, notably theTcheli Monkey, kept outside the monkey-house at the Zoo, and theJapanese Macaque, at the other entrance, are tailless, and much more like anthropoid apes. The Tcheli monkey is large and powerful, but other macaques are of all sizes down to little creatures no bigger than a kitten. Some live in the hottest plains, others in the mountains. TheCommon Macaque, found in the Malay Archipelago, is a strong, medium-sized monkey. TheFormosan Macaqueis a rock-living creature; those of Japan inhabit the pine-groves, and are fond of pelting any one who passes with stones and fir-cones. TheBonnet Macaqueis an amusing little beast, very fond of hugging and nursing others in captivity. TheBandarorRhesus Monkey, a common species, also belongs to this group. But the most interesting to Europeans is theMagot, orBarbary Ape. It is the last monkey left in Europe. There it only lives on the Rock of Gibraltar. It was the monkey which Galen is said to have dissected, because he was not permitted to dissect a human body. These monkeys are carefully preserved upon the Rock. Formerly, when they were more common, they were very mischievous. The following story wastold by Mr. Bidcup: "The apes of the Rock, led by one particular monkey, were always stealing from the kit of a certain regiment encamped there. At last the soldiers caught the leader, shaved his head and face, and turned him loose. His friends, who had been watching, received him with a shower of sticks and stones. In these desperate circumstances the ape sneaked back to his old enemies, the soldiers, with whom he remained." Lord Heathfield, a former Governor of the Rock, would never let them be hurt; and on one occasion, when the Spaniards were attempting a surprise, the noise made by the apes gave notice of their attempt.
DIANA MONKEY.Photo by L. Medland, F.Z.S.][North Finchley.DIANA MONKEY.One of the most gaily coloured monkeys of Africa.
Photo by L. Medland, F.Z.S.][North Finchley.DIANA MONKEY.One of the most gaily coloured monkeys of Africa.
Photo by L. Medland, F.Z.S.][North Finchley.
DIANA MONKEY.
One of the most gaily coloured monkeys of Africa.
The Baboons.
Far the most interesting of the apes in the wild state are theBaboons. Their dog-like heads (which in some are so large and hideous that they look like a cross between an ill-tempered dog and a pig), short bodies, enormously strong arms, and loud barking cry distinguish them from all other creatures. The greater number—for there are many kinds—live in the hot, dry, stony parts of Africa. They are familiar figures from the cliffs of Abyssinia to the Cape, where their bold and predatory bands still occupy Table Mountain. They are almost the only animals which the high-contracting Powers of Africa have resolved not to protect at any season, so mischievous are they to crops, and recently to the flocks. They kill the suckling lambs, and tear them to pieces for the sake of the milk contained in their bodies.
BARBARY APE.Photo by G. W. Wilson & Co., Ltd.][Aberdeen.BARBARY APE.The last of the European monkeys; on this side of the Mediterranean it is only found on the Rock of Gibraltar.
Photo by G. W. Wilson & Co., Ltd.][Aberdeen.BARBARY APE.The last of the European monkeys; on this side of the Mediterranean it is only found on the Rock of Gibraltar.
Photo by G. W. Wilson & Co., Ltd.][Aberdeen.
BARBARY APE.
The last of the European monkeys; on this side of the Mediterranean it is only found on the Rock of Gibraltar.
One of the best-known baboons is theChacmaof South Africa. The old males grow to a great size, and are most formidable creatures. Naturally, they are very seldom caught; but one very large one is in the Zoological Gardens, Regent's Park, at the time of writing. The keeper declares he would rather go into a lion's cage than into the den of this beast when angry. Its head is nearly one-third of its total length from nose to the root of the tail. Its jaw-power is immense, and its forearm looks as strong as Sandow's.Like all monkeys, this creature has the power of springing instantaneously from a sitting position; and its bite would cripple anything from a man to a leopard. The chacmas live in companies in the kopjes, whence they descend to forage the mealie-grounds, river-beds, and bush. Thence they come down to steal fruit and pumpkins or corn, turn over the stones and catch beetles, or eat locusts. Their robbing expeditions are organised. Scouts keep a look-out, the females and young are put in the centre, and the retreat is protected by the old males. Children in the Cape Colony are always warned not to go out when the baboons are near. When irritated—and they are very touchy in their tempers—the whole of the males will sometimes charge and attack. The possibility of this is very unpleasant, and renders people cautious.
RHESUS MONKEY.Photo by C. Reid][Wishaw, N.B.RHESUS MONKEY.A young specimen of the common Bengal monkey.
Photo by C. Reid][Wishaw, N.B.RHESUS MONKEY.A young specimen of the common Bengal monkey.
Photo by C. Reid][Wishaw, N.B.
RHESUS MONKEY.
A young specimen of the common Bengal monkey.
Not many years ago a well-known sportsman was shooting in Somaliland. On the other side of a rocky ravine was a troop of baboons of a species of which no examples were in the British Museum. Though he knew the danger, he was tempted to shoot and to secure a skin. At 200 yards he killed one dead, which the rest did not notice. Then he hit another and wounded it. The baboon screamed, and instantly the others sat up, saw the malefactor, and charged straight for him. Most fortunately, they had to scramble down the ravine and up again, by which time the sportsman and his servant had put such a distance between them, making "very good time over the flat," that the baboons contented themselves by barking defiance at them when they reached the level ground.
RHESUS MONKEY AND SOOTY MANGABEY.Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons.RHESUS MONKEY AND SOOTY MANGABEY.The sooty mangabey (to the right of the picture) is gentle and companionable, but petulant and active.
Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons.RHESUS MONKEY AND SOOTY MANGABEY.The sooty mangabey (to the right of the picture) is gentle and companionable, but petulant and active.
Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons.
RHESUS MONKEY AND SOOTY MANGABEY.
The sooty mangabey (to the right of the picture) is gentle and companionable, but petulant and active.
They are the only mammals whichthoroughlyunderstand combination for defence as well as attack. But Brehm, the German traveller, gives a charming story of genuine courage and self-sacrifice shown by one. His hunting dogs gave chase to a troop which was retreating to some cliffs, and cut off a very young one, which ran up on to a rock, only just out of reach of the dogs. An old male baboon saw this, and came alone to the rescue. Slowly and deliberately he descended, crossed the open space, and stamping his hands on the ground, showing his teeth, and backed by the furious barks of the rest of the baboons, he disconcerted and cowed these savage dogs, climbed on to the rock, picked up the baby, and carried him back safely. If the dogs had attacked the old patriarch, his tribe would probably have helped him. Burchell, the naturalist after whom Burchell's zebra is named, let his dogs chase a troop. The baboons turned on them, killed one on the spot by biting through the great blood-vessels of the neck, and laid bare the ribs of another. The CapeDutch in the Old Colony would rather let their dogs bait a lion than a troop of baboons. The rescue of the infant chacma which Brehm saw himself is a remarkable, and indeed the most incontestable, instance of the exhibition of courage and self-sacrifice by amaleanimal.
GREY-CHEEKED MANGABEY.Photo by L. Medland, F.Z.S., North Finchley.GREY-CHEEKED MANGABEY.One of the small African monkeys.
Photo by L. Medland, F.Z.S., North Finchley.GREY-CHEEKED MANGABEY.One of the small African monkeys.
Photo by L. Medland, F.Z.S., North Finchley.
GREY-CHEEKED MANGABEY.
One of the small African monkeys.
CHINESE MACAQUE.Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons.CHINESE MACAQUE.This monkey lives in a climate as cold as that of England.
Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons.CHINESE MACAQUE.This monkey lives in a climate as cold as that of England.
Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons.
CHINESE MACAQUE.
This monkey lives in a climate as cold as that of England.
If the baboons were not generally liable to become bad-tempered when they grow old, they could probably be trained to be among the most useful of animal helpers and servers; but they are so formidable, and so uncertain in temper, that they are almost too dangerous for attempts at semi-domestication. When experiments have been made, they have had remarkable results. Le Vaillant, one of the early explorers in South Africa, had a chacma baboon which was a better watch than any of his dogs. It gave warning of any creature approaching the camp at night long before the dogs could hear or smell it. He took it out with him when he was shooting, and used to let it collect edible roots for him. The latest example of a trained baboon only died a few years ago. It belonged to a railway signalman at Uitenhage station, about 200 miles up-country from Port Elizabeth, in Cape Colony. The man had the misfortune to undergo an operation in which both his feet were amputated, after being crushed by the wheels of a train. Being an ingenious fellow, he taught his baboon, which was a full-grown one, to pull him along the line on a trolly to the "distant" signal. There the baboon stopped at the word of command, and the man would work the lever himself. But in time he taught the baboon to do it, while he sat on the trolly, ready to help if any mistake were made.
GRIVET MONKEY.Photo by York & Son, Notting Hill.GRIVET MONKEY.This is the small monkey commonly taken about with street-organs.
Photo by York & Son, Notting Hill.GRIVET MONKEY.This is the small monkey commonly taken about with street-organs.
Photo by York & Son, Notting Hill.
GRIVET MONKEY.
This is the small monkey commonly taken about with street-organs.
BONNET MONKEY, AND ARABIAN BABOON (ON THE RIGHT).Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons.BONNET MONKEY, AND ARABIAN BABOON (ON THE RIGHT).
Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons.BONNET MONKEY, AND ARABIAN BABOON (ON THE RIGHT).
Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons.
BONNET MONKEY, AND ARABIAN BABOON (ON THE RIGHT).
The chacmas have for relations a number of other baboons in the rocky parts of the African Continent, most of which have almost the same habits, and are not very different in appearance. Among them is theGelada Baboon, a species very common in the rocky highlands of Abyssinia; another is theAnubis Baboonof the West Coast of Africa. The latter is numerous round the Portuguese settlement of Angola. Whether the so-calledCommon Baboonof the menageries is a separate species or only the young of some one of the above-mentioned is not very clear. But about another variety there can be no doubt. It has been separated from the rest since the days of the Pharaohs. It does not differ in habits from the other baboons, but inhabits the rocky parts of the Nile Valley. It appears in Egyptian mythology under the name of Thoth, and is constantly seen in the sculptures and hieroglyphs.
RHESUS MONKEYS.Photo by L. Medland F.Z.S.][North Finchley.RHESUS MONKEYS.This photograph is particularly interesting. It was actually taken by another monkey, which pressed the button of Mr. Medland's camera.
Photo by L. Medland F.Z.S.][North Finchley.RHESUS MONKEYS.This photograph is particularly interesting. It was actually taken by another monkey, which pressed the button of Mr. Medland's camera.
Photo by L. Medland F.Z.S.][North Finchley.
RHESUS MONKEYS.
This photograph is particularly interesting. It was actually taken by another monkey, which pressed the button of Mr. Medland's camera.
Equally strong and far more repulsive are the two baboons of West Africa—theDrilland theMandrill. As young specimens of these beasts are the only ones at all easily caught, and these nearly always die when cutting their second teeth when in captivity, large adult mandrills are seldom seen in Europe. They grow to a great size, and are probably the most hideous of all beasts. The frightful nose, high cheekbones, and pig-like eyes are the basis of the horrible heads of devils and goblins which Albert Dürer and other German or Dutch mediæval painters sometimes put on canvas. Add to the figure the misplaced bright colours—cobalt-blue on the cheeks, which are scarred, as if by a rake, with scarlet furrows, and scarlet on the buttocks—and it will be admitted that nature has invested this massive, powerful, and ferocious baboon with a repulsiveness equalling in completeness the extremes of grace and beauty manifested in the roe-deer or the bird of paradise.
ORANGE SNUB-NOSED MONKEY.Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons.ORANGE SNUB-NOSED MONKEY.This should be contrasted with the Proboscis Monkey.
Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons.ORANGE SNUB-NOSED MONKEY.This should be contrasted with the Proboscis Monkey.
Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons.
ORANGE SNUB-NOSED MONKEY.
This should be contrasted with the Proboscis Monkey.
The natives of Guinea and other parts of West Africa have consistent accounts that the mandrills have tried to carry off females and children. They live in troops like the chacmas, plunder the fields, and, like all baboons, spend much time on the ground walking on all-fours. When doing this, they are quite unlike any other creatures. They walk slowly, with the head bent downwards, like a person walking on hands and knees looking for a pin. With the right hand (usually) they turn over every stick and stone, looking for insects, scorpions, or snails, and these they seize and eat. The writer has seenbaboons picking up sand, and straining it through their fingers, to see if there were ants in it. He has also seen one hold up sand in the palm of its hand, and blow the dust away with its breath, and then look again to see if anything edible were left. Mandrills kept in captivity until adult become very savage. One in Wombwell's menagerie killed another monkey and a beagle. Mr. Cross owned one which would sit in an armchair, smoke, and drink porter; but these convivial accomplishments were accompanied by a most ferocious temper.
One of the earliest accounts of the habits of the Abyssinian baboons was given by Ludolf in his "History of Ethiopia." It was translated into quaint, but excellent old English: "Of Apes," he says, "there are infinite flocks up and down in the mountains, a thousand and more together, and they leave no stone unturned. If they meet with one that two or three cannot lift they call for more aid, and all for the sake of the Worms that lye under, a sort of dyet which they relish exceedingly. They are very greedy after Emmets. So that having found an emmet hill, they presently surround it, and laying their fore paws with the hollow downward upon the ant heap, as soon as the Emmets creep into their treacherous palms they lick 'em off, with great comfort to their stomachs. And there they will lye till there is not an Emmet left. They are also pernicious to fruits and apples, and will destroy whole fields and gardens unless they be looked after. For they are very cunning, and will never venture in till the return of their spies, which they send always before, who, giving all information that it is safe, in they rush with their whole body and make a quick despatch. Therefore they go very quiet and silent to their prey; and if their young ones chance to make a noise, they chastise them with their fists; but if the coast is clear, then every one has a different noise to express his joy." Ludolf clearly means the baboons by this description.
PIG-TAILED MONKEY.Photo by Ottomar Anschütz][BerlinPIG-TAILED MONKEY."Footing the line." Note how the monkey uses its feet as hands when walking on a branch.
Photo by Ottomar Anschütz][BerlinPIG-TAILED MONKEY."Footing the line." Note how the monkey uses its feet as hands when walking on a branch.
Photo by Ottomar Anschütz][Berlin
PIG-TAILED MONKEY.
"Footing the line." Note how the monkey uses its feet as hands when walking on a branch.
A more ancient story deals with Alexander's campaigns. He encamped on a mountain on which were numerous bands of monkeys (probably baboons). On the following morning the sentries saw what looked like troops coming to offer them battle. As they had just won avictory, they were at a loss to guess who these new foes might he. The alarm was given, and the Macedonian troops set out in battle-array. Then through the morning mists they saw that the enemy was an immense troop of monkeys. Their prisoners, who knew what the alarm was caused by, made no small sport of the Macedonians.
CHACMA BABOON.Photo by Ottomar Anschütz][Berlin.CHACMA BABOON.This photograph shows his attitude when about to make an attack.
Photo by Ottomar Anschütz][Berlin.CHACMA BABOON.This photograph shows his attitude when about to make an attack.
Photo by Ottomar Anschütz][Berlin.
CHACMA BABOON.
This photograph shows his attitude when about to make an attack.
The Speech of Monkeys.
Something should be said of the alleged "speech of monkeys" which Professor Garner believed himself to have discovered. He rightly excluded mere sounds showing joy, desire, or sorrow from the faculty of speech, but claimed to have detected special words, one meaning "food," another "drink," another "give me that," another meaning "monkey," or an identification of a second animal or monkey. He used a phonograph to keep permanent record of the sounds, and made an expedition to the West African forests in the hope that he might induce the large anthropoid apes to answer the sounds which are so often uttered by their kind in our menageries. The enterprise ended, as might have been expected, in failure. Nor was it in the least necessary to go and sit in a cage in an African forest in the hope of striking up an acquaintance with the native chimpanzees. The little Capuchin monkeys, whose voices and sounds he had ample opportunity of observing here, give sufficient material for trying experiments in the meaning of monkey sounds. The writer believes that it is highly probable that the cleverer monkeys have a great many notes or sounds which the others do understand, if only because they make the same under similar circumstances, otherwise they would not utter them. They are like the sounds which an intelligent but nearly dumb person might make. Also they have very sharp ears, and some of them can understand musical sounds, so far as to show a very marked attention to them. The following account of an experiment of this kind, when a violin was being played, is related in "Life at the Zoo": "The Capuchin monkeys, the species selected by Professor Garner for his experiments in monkey language, showed the strangest and most amusing excitement. These pretty little creatures have very expressive and intelligent faces, and the play and mobility of their faces and voices while listening to the music were extraordinarily rapid. The three in the first cage at once rushed up into their box, and then all peeped out, chattering and excited. One by one they came down, and listened to the music with intense curiosity, shrieking and making faces at a crescendo, shaking the wires angrily at a discord, and putting their heads almost upside-down in efforts at acute criticism at low and musical passages. Every change of note was marked by some alteration of expression in the faces of the excited little monkeys, and a series of discordant notes roused them to a passion of rage." At the same time a big baboon, chained up near, evidently disliked it. He walked off in the opposite direction to the farthest limits of his chain.
A YOUNG MALE CHACMA BABOON.Photo by C. Reid][Wishaw, N.B.A YOUNG MALE CHACMA BABOON.Note the protruding tusk in the upper jaw. A baboon sitting in this position of rest can instantly leap six or seven feet, and inflict a dangerous bite.
Photo by C. Reid][Wishaw, N.B.A YOUNG MALE CHACMA BABOON.Note the protruding tusk in the upper jaw. A baboon sitting in this position of rest can instantly leap six or seven feet, and inflict a dangerous bite.
Photo by C. Reid][Wishaw, N.B.
A YOUNG MALE CHACMA BABOON.
Note the protruding tusk in the upper jaw. A baboon sitting in this position of rest can instantly leap six or seven feet, and inflict a dangerous bite.
HEAD OF MALE MANDRILL.Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons.HEAD OF MALE MANDRILL.This is one of the most hideous of living animals. The natives of West Africa hold it in greater dislike even than the large carnivora, from the mischief which it does to their crops.
Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons.HEAD OF MALE MANDRILL.This is one of the most hideous of living animals. The natives of West Africa hold it in greater dislike even than the large carnivora, from the mischief which it does to their crops.
Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons.
HEAD OF MALE MANDRILL.
This is one of the most hideous of living animals. The natives of West Africa hold it in greater dislike even than the large carnivora, from the mischief which it does to their crops.
BROWN CAPUCHIN.Photo by L. Medland, F.Z.S., North Finchley.BROWN CAPUCHIN.The most intelligent of the common monkeys of the New World. It uses many sounds to express emotions, and perhaps desires.
Photo by L. Medland, F.Z.S., North Finchley.BROWN CAPUCHIN.The most intelligent of the common monkeys of the New World. It uses many sounds to express emotions, and perhaps desires.
Photo by L. Medland, F.Z.S., North Finchley.
BROWN CAPUCHIN.
The most intelligent of the common monkeys of the New World. It uses many sounds to express emotions, and perhaps desires.
DRILL.Photo by L. Medland, F.Z.S., North Finchley.DRILL.Only less ugly than the Mandrill. Its habits are the same.
Photo by L. Medland, F.Z.S., North Finchley.DRILL.Only less ugly than the Mandrill. Its habits are the same.
Photo by L. Medland, F.Z.S., North Finchley.
DRILL.
Only less ugly than the Mandrill. Its habits are the same.
The New World Monkeys.
Mention of the Capuchins takes us to the whole group of the New World Monkeys. Nearly all of these live in the tropical forests of Brazil, Guiana, Venezuela, and Mexico. They are all different from the Old World monkeys, and many are far more beautiful. The most attractive of the hardier kinds are the Capuchins; but there are many kinds of rare and delicate little monkeys more beautiful than any squirrel, which would make the most delightful pets in the world, if they were not so delicate. To try to describe the Old World monkeys in separate groups from end to end is rather a hopeless task. But the American monkeys are more manageable by the puzzled amateur. Most of them have a broad and marked division between the nostrils, which are not mere slits close together, but like the nostrils of men. They also have human-looking rounded heads. Their noses are of the "cogitative" order, instead of being snouts or snubs with narrow openings in them; and the whole face is in many ways human and intelligent. TheHowler Monkeys, which utter the most hideous sounds ever heard in the forests, and theSpider Monkeysare the largest. The latter have the most wonderfully developed limbs and tails for catching and climbing of any living animals. As highly specialised creatures are always interesting, visitors to any zoological garden will find it worth while to watch a spider monkey climbing,just as it is always worth while to watch a great snake on the move. The tail is used as a fifth hand: the Indians of Brazil say they catch fish with it, which is not true. But if you watch a spider monkey moving from tree to tree, his limbs and tail move like the five fingers of a star-fish. Each of the extremities is as sensitive as a hand, far longer in proportion than an ordinary man's arm, and apparently able to work independently of joints. The monkey can do so many things at once that no juggler can equal it. It will hold fruit in one hand, pick more with one foot, place food to the mouth with another hand, and walk and swing from branch to branch with the other foot and tail, all simultaneously. These monkeys have no visible thumb, though dissection shows that they have a rudimentary one; but the limbs are so flexible that they can put one arm round behind their heads over on to the opposite shoulder, and brush the fur on their upper arm. The end of the tail seems always "feeling" the air or surroundings, and has hairs, thin and long, at the end, which aid it in knowing when it is near a leaf or branch. It is almost like the tentacle of some sea zoophyte. Gentle creatures, all of them, are these spider monkeys. One of them, of the species called Waita, when kept in captivity, wore the fur off its forehead by rubbing its long gaunt arms continually over its brow whenever it was scolded. The spider monkeys differ only in the degree of spidery slenderness in their limbs. In disposition they are always amiable, and in habits tree-climbers and fruit-eaters.
RED HOWLER MONKEY.Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons]RED HOWLER MONKEY.The males possess a most extraordinary voice.
Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons]RED HOWLER MONKEY.The males possess a most extraordinary voice.
Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons]
RED HOWLER MONKEY.
The males possess a most extraordinary voice.
A SPIDER MONKEYPhoto by A. S. Rudland & Sons.A SPIDER MONKEYThis monkey is specially adapted for arboreal life. The tail acts as a fifth hand.
Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons.A SPIDER MONKEYThis monkey is specially adapted for arboreal life. The tail acts as a fifth hand.
Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons.
A SPIDER MONKEY
This monkey is specially adapted for arboreal life. The tail acts as a fifth hand.
TheCapuchinsare, in the writer's opinion, the nicest of all monkeys. Many species are known, but all have the same round merry faces, bright eyes, pretty fur, and long tails. There is always a fair number at the Zoological Gardens. They are merry, but full of fads. One hates children and loves ladies; another adores one or two other monkeys, and screams at the rest. All are fond of insects as well as of fruit. A friend of the writer kept one in a large house in Leicestershire. It was not very good-tempered, but most amusing, climbing up the blind-cord first, and catching and eating the flies on the window-panes most dexterously, always avoiding the wasps. This monkey was taught to put out a lighted paper (a useful accomplishment) by dashing its hands on to the burning part, or, if the paper were twisted up, by taking the unlighted end and beating the burning part on the ground; and it was very fond of turning the leaves of any large book. This it did not only by vigorous use of both arms and hands, but by putting its head under too, and "heaving" the leaves over.
In the private room behind the monkey-house at the Zoo there are always a number of the rare and delicate monkeys from the New World, which cannot stand the draughts of the outerhouse, like the Capuchins and spider monkeys. The greater number of these come from tropical America. There, in the mighty forests, so lofty that no man can climb the trees, so dense that there is a kind of upper storey on the interlaced tree-tops, where nearly all the birds and many mammals live without descending to earth, forests in which there is neither summer nor winter, but only the changes from hour to hour of the equatorial day, the exquisiteMarmosets, whose fur looks like the plumage and whose twittering voices imitate the notes of birds, live and have their being. They are all much alike in shape, except that theLion Marmoset'smane is like that of a little lion clad in floss silk; and they all have sharp little claws, and feed on insects. ThePinché Marmosetfrom the Guiana forests has a face like a black Indian chief, with white plumes over his head and neck like those worn by a "brave" in full war-paint. Merchants who do business with Brazil very frequently import marmosets and the closely allied tamarins as presents for friends in England; the Brazilians themselves like to have them as pets also; so there is to some extent a trade demand for them.
PATAS MONKEY.Photo by Scholastic Photo. Co.][Parson's Green.PATAS MONKEY.Found in West Africa. A large and brilliantly coloured species.
Photo by Scholastic Photo. Co.][Parson's Green.PATAS MONKEY.Found in West Africa. A large and brilliantly coloured species.
Photo by Scholastic Photo. Co.][Parson's Green.
PATAS MONKEY.
Found in West Africa. A large and brilliantly coloured species.
WANDEROO MONKEY.Photo by C. Reid][Wishaw, N.B.WANDEROO MONKEY.The number of monkeys which have leonine manes is large. The manes act as capes to keep the dew and wet from their chests and shoulders.
Photo by C. Reid][Wishaw, N.B.WANDEROO MONKEY.The number of monkeys which have leonine manes is large. The manes act as capes to keep the dew and wet from their chests and shoulders.
Photo by C. Reid][Wishaw, N.B.
WANDEROO MONKEY.
The number of monkeys which have leonine manes is large. The manes act as capes to keep the dew and wet from their chests and shoulders.
Among the most delicate of American monkeys are theOukaris, which have somewhat human faces, exquisite soft fur, and are as gentle as most of these forest creatures. They seldom live long in captivity, a few months being as much as they will generally endure, even in Brazil. Perhaps the rarest of all is the white-hairedScarlet-faced Oukari. This monkey has long white hair from neck to tail, sandy whiskers, and a bright scarlet face. It lives in a district of partly flooded forest, and is only obtained by the Indians using blow-pipes and arrows dipped in very diluted urari poison. TheWhite-headed Sakiis a rare and very pretty little monkey of Brazil; and there are a very large number of other species of this group whose names it would be mere weariness to mention. All these small monkeys are very quick and intelligent, while the rapidity of their movements, their ever-changing expression, and sharp, eager cries heighten the idea of cleverness given by their general appearance. Other little imps of these forests are theSquirrel Monkeys. In the common species the face is like a little furry man's, its arms brilliant yellow (as if dipped in gamboge dye), the cheeks pink, and eyes black. In habits it is a quick-tempered, imperious little creature, carnivorous, and a great devourer of butterflies and beetles.
COMMON SQUIRREL MONKEY.Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons.COMMON SQUIRREL MONKEY.The squirrel monkeys have soft, bright-coloured fur, and long, hairy tails. They are found from Mexico to Paraguay.
Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons.COMMON SQUIRREL MONKEY.The squirrel monkeys have soft, bright-coloured fur, and long, hairy tails. They are found from Mexico to Paraguay.
Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons.
COMMON SQUIRREL MONKEY.
The squirrel monkeys have soft, bright-coloured fur, and long, hairy tails. They are found from Mexico to Paraguay.
The most beautiful and entertaining of all monkeys are these New World species. No person clever at interpreting the ways of animals would fail to consider them far more clever and sympathetic than the melancholy anthropoid apes, while for appearance they have no equals. Probably the most attractive monkey in Europe is a South American one now in the London Zoological Gardens. It was first mentioned to Europeans by Baron von Humboldt, who saw it in the cabin of an Indian on the Orinoco. These forest Indians of South America are gentle creatures themselves. Among other amiable qualities, they have a passion for keeping pets. One who worked for a friend of the writer, with others of his tribe, was asked what he would take in payment, which was given in kind. The others chose cloth, axes, etc. This Indian said that he did not care for any of these things. He said he wanted a "poosa." No one knew what he meant. He signed that he wished to go to the house and would show them. Arrived there, he pointed to the cat! "Pussy," to the Arawak Indian, was a "poosa," and that was what he wanted as a month's wages. Humboldt's Indian had something better than a "poosa." It was a monkey, as black as coal, with a round head, long thickly furred tail, and bright vivacious eyes. The explorer called it theLagothrix, which means Hare-skin Monkey. The fur is not the least like a hare's, but much resembles that of an opossum. The more suitable name is theWoolly Monkey. The one kept at the Gardens is a most friendly and vivacious creature, ready to embrace, play and make friends with any well-dressed person. It dislikes people in working-clothes which are dirty or soiled—a not uncommon aversion of clever animals.