Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-08-30
APES AT HOME.
Their Family Life Observed by Traveller in
Algiers.

Their Family Life Observed by Traveller in
AlgierS.
After traversing the greater part of the
gorge-all that was worth seeing of it
we returned to small inn at the entrance
of an abrupt valley, down which dashes
the turbulent little rivulet called the
Ruisseau des Singes, or monkeys stream.
Here we nrdered dinner, and, while wait
ing for it to be got ready, climbed up the
steep slopes to look for some of the mon
keys, which were said TO abound in the
neighborhood. Nor had we to walk far
before we saw them. They were there in
numbers, but appeared tjmid and unwill-
ing to be interviewed. As we approached,
they sprang from branch to branch, IN
til they reached the thickest part of the
forest, where no doubt they considered
| themselves safe from intrusion. My
friends, after Watching them to their
satisfaction, went of to view whatever
else vas to be seen in the vicinity.
had gone there, however, armed with an
opera glass, determined if possible to
make close inspection of the monkeys;
SO | crept stealthily to tree with stem
and branches thiokIy overhung with ivy,
where l easily found place of conceal.
nent. There, when | ascert6ined by
careful inspection that had got no
snakes for my companions, [ took up my
poeition and waited the result
For some time | was unable to get sight
OF any of the objects of my search, al
though [ could see the branches of the
trees swaying violently about in many
places, showing that something was up
among them. But at last my patience
was rewarded, for a number of monkeys,
gradually discarding their tirnidity, re
turned to the trees from which they had
retired upon my approach, giving me the
opportunity of closer observation that
sought for. This change in their de-
meancr was brought about by the frOlics
of thoughtless baby monkey, that es
capped from its mothers guardianship,
and sprang about in evident enjoyment
of It's forbidden freedom, till at last it
rested in tree close by me, from which
position no parental warning or blandish.
mepts could recall it. In this condition
of affairs maternal affection soon assert
ed itself, and brought the old one, regard
less of danger to its erring child. The
family group ere long became united once
more, bat for some time the elders watch
ed the tree where l lay hidden with keen
and scrutinizlng chances, indicating much
distrust. So close was I to them that
could, by the aid of my glass, distinguish
the glaring sharpness of their eyes. At
length they seemed satisfied that no dam
ger was apprehended, and sprang about
piucking and eating the opening leaf
buds, and amuseing themselves in differ
ent ways. Then they hudled together on
d bough TO rest and sleep little. There
they sat in perfect quIetness, happy
picturesque, and very human in
its aspect-one with its head reclining on
another's shoulder and an arm encirciing
it, while firm hold was laid upon the
trusnt youngster, lest when it awoke, it
should be off again and at Its antics.
l have spoken Unfortunately of
monkeys in connection with the gorge of
the Chiffa, but they possess no tails and
would be more correctly described as
apes. The fur of those 1 saw was beauti-
full aud clean, and looEe ed healthy and
happy, very diferent from those miser-
able relitives in captivity at the Zoo, or
those still worse off, that travel our couIl-
try bound with strap and chain in COM
pany with a wheezy barrel organ and are
made to disport themselves TO its de-
pressing strains in the mock attire of
man.
How changed the scene from that of
their native African forests. 1t was so
peaceful and pleasant that was ioath to
disturb the happy family. But remain
ing long in constrained position even
while observing nature in her home is not
agreeable. and tends to produce crsmp
and other inconveniences, SO that was
obliged at last to move out of my hiding
place. For g moment the sleeping mon
keys were taken by surprise ard then