Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-12-14

The manners and customs OF monkeys
are too commonly judged from those
OF their kind retained In confinement.
Monkeys are born iu almost as helpless
O condition as are human beings. For
the first fortnight after birth, they pass
their time in being nursed, in sleeping,
and looking about them. When about
six weeks old, the baby begins to need
more substantial nutliment than milk
and is taught 10 provide for itself,
Its powers are speedily developed; and
in few weeks its agility is mostsur-
prising. The mothers fondness tor her
offspring continues; she devotes all her
cares TO its comfort and education; and
should 1t meet with an untimey end,
her grief is SO intense as frequently to
cause her own death. The young ones
are seen to sport and gambol with one
another in the presence of their mother,
who sits ready to give judgement ami
punish migdemeanors. When any one
is found guilty OF foul-play or malicious
conduct towards another OF the family,
the parent interiors by seizIng the young
criminal by the tail, which she holds
fast with one hand while she boxes his
ears with the other. Their parental
affection for their young offspring IL
showL by teaching them to selecC
food, to exert themselves in jumping
from bouRh to bough, and then in TAX
ing more extensive leaps from tree to
tree; encouraging them by caresses
when timorous, and menacing and
even beating them when refractory.
Knowing by instinct the mahgnity of
the snakes, they are most vigilant In
their destruction; they seize them
when asleep by the neck, and running to
the nearest fiat stone, grind the head
by strong friction OH the surface, ire
qdently looking at it and grinning at
lneir progress. When convinced that
the yenemous fangs are destroyed,
they toss the reptile to their young to
play with. In the case OF the approach
OF human enemies, ali alarm ls given
by one Of the tribe that danger LII al
hand. In an instant the youngster
springs on to its mothers body, ami
grasps it with such tenacity, tnat NJ
Jerk can possibly loosen It's hold. Ac-
cording to numerous accounts, the
large species OF monkeys, In their native
forests, construct hutS for themselves
and families nearly similar in form to
those of certain Africans; or else they
take possession of those abandoned by
the natives. They also make beds Of
leaves; but according TO some accounts,
these are only for the females anu
young, and most of the time the males
sleep outside. Ii is asserted that these
African monkeys maintain among them .
selves republicans form of government,
In which the str1cteSt Older and 5ubOr-
dination are enforced. When they travel
from place 10 place. they are under the
command Il particular cnleftains which
are always the oldest and most powerful
Of the trlbe, and maintain a severe
Kind OF discipline upon the marcn.
When they are engaged up ON any
very daring raid, monkeys place
senJinels upon the neIghborlng
trees and heights, 10 give them timely
warning of approaching danger; and
should they be surprised through any
Eault OF these sentlnels, tine luckIess IN
dlvidual is either severely punished, or
In some taIses, lt Is declared, H. put to
death tor hIs neglect of the public
safety. Ace )rding TO some accounts,
these raiders viii form long chain, ex-
tending from the field or garden they
are plunderinR, towards their own
place OF abode; ana toss the fruits OF
of their robbery from one 70 the other,
till collected together and deposited Ia
a place OF safety. BY this cooperative
system they are enabled to carry off a
much larger booty than they could ii
each one only took sufficient for him.
self. Whtn leaving the scene OF them
plunder, however, each takes of with
aim as much a. he can carry Fruit
and eggs are their chief food; An o state
of nature, it is believed, they will not
aoueh the flesh of warm-blooded ami
mails; nor III q state of captivity, unless
cooked.