Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1856-01-18
How Ares Catch Grabs. md Vice Versa.
from a Traveller in Java,

At length they reached tho boundary Of the
former settlement--l dry, sandy soil n strip
of beach, where all vegetation ceased and
only single tall pldanus tree, whose roots
were tbicklv intcrldced with creeping plants.
formed as it were the advanced post Of the
vegetable kingdom Behind this they crawl
ed along, then cautiously raising their heads
they saw several apee-and at n distance Of
some two or three hundred races-who were
partly looking for something, as they walked
up and down the beacl, while others stood
mutouless
1t was the long tailed brown variety, and
Frank was beginning to regret that he had
not his Telescope with him. to watch the
motions of these strange beings more closely.
when ono Of them II tremendous large fellow.
began to draw nearer to them. Carefully
examining the ground over which he went on
all fOurs lie stood at intervals to scratch
himself or to snup at come insect that buzzed
around him.
lie came 80 close that Frank fancied that
he must scent them and give the alarm to
the other monkeys, when suddenly passing
over little elevation covered with wthered
reodv gruss he here discovered party of
crabs plrading up and down on the h, s.nl
Win ii bound no Was among them, but not
quick enough to catch single one for the
crabs though apparently go clumsy, dnrted
like lightning into quantity Of small holes
or cavities, which made the ground here re.
senble y scive, ard the Hpe could not thrust
ms ptw- liter theu' Tor the same oribce was
too narrow.
lhe mando9r ridGed rank gently, to draw
his attention; and they sa" the ape, after
crawling once or twice up ana duwn the small
strip of land, and peepns into the various
holes, with it, nose close to the ground, sud
denly seating himself very 2rayely by one Of
them. which he Lncied most suitable. lie
then brought round hl7 i'n- tali to the front,
thrust tIe end OF Il into the cavity, until ne
met with an obstacle. and soIienIy made
tdcc which el amused rant that ne would
have laughed loudly. had not the in.ItI1r
raised IN, finger ut him wIrning!y--ani Ii
rectly the ape drew out h. extraordinary line
with JERK. ~ the end OF It. however hun:
the desired booty, lat crab by one u its
claws, ami swinging II round On the ground
/ with such violence as t. make 1t lose its hpld
ho took II IN hts lcit paw, picked up stone
with the other, and after crAc King the she'll
dovoureJ the -rtory contents vita evident
satisfaction.
Four Or FIVE lie thus caught in succession,
on each occasion when the crab nirrcd him
making 3 face Of heroic re,igHatiOn and pain,
. but each time he vas successful, ana he
mus; have found IN the dainty dish and the
revenge for the NIP abundant satisfaction for
/ the pain he endured. or else he would not
have set to work again 80 soon.
Thus then the ape quite engaged with the
sport ana without taking his eyes oH the
ground, had approached to within about
twenty PAGES OF the party concealed behind
the padAnus tree. Here again. the ground
was tuil ol hoies, ana looking out the one lie
conlectured to he the best, he threw in his
line once ana prohahly felt that their WAS
something alive WITHIN, for he awaited the
result with slgns OF the most eager atten =
tion.