Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1889-09-10
MONKEYS IN GUIANA


a Close Inspection OF Their Doings and
the Ways OF Their Enemies.
After traversing the greater part OF
the gorge In French Guiana, we re-
turned 70 small Inn at the entrance
TO an abrupt valley down-which dashes
the turbulent little rivulet called the
Ruisseau des Singes, or monkeys
stream. We ordered dinner. and.
while waiting for 1t, climbed up the
steep slopes to look for some OF the
monkeys which are said to abound in
the neighborhood. Nor had we to
walk far before we saw them. They
were there In numbers, but appeared
to be timid and unwilling 10 be inter
viewed As we approached they sprang
from branch to branch until they
reached the thiokest part OF tho for
est, where, no doubt, they consider
themselves safe from intrusion. My
friends, after watching them to their
satisfaction, went of TO view whatever
else was to be seen In the vicinity.
had gone there, however, armed with
an opera glass, determined, II possible,
TO make close inspection OF the mon
keys. so l crept stealthily to a tree
with branches thickly overhung with
ivy, where easily found place oil
concealment There, wned / ascer-
tanned by careful inspection that 1 bad
no snakes for my companions. l took
up my position and awaited the re-
suit EfeEl uO
For some time / was unable to get
siobt of anv of the obiects of my
search. although / could see lths
branches Of the trees swaying vic.
'ientlv about in many places, showing
that something was up among them.
But Mt last INV patience was rewarded,
for a number Of monkeys, gradually dis
cardiup their timidity, returned TO the
tree from which they had retired upon
NV approach. giving me the oppor-
unity OF closer observation than I
sought for. This change In their de.
meanor was brought about by the
frolics Of thouehtless baby monkey
that escaped its mothers guardianship
and snrang about In evident endowment
of its forbidden freedom till at
last it rested in a tree close by
me. from which position no parental
warnings or blandisbmeut could re-
call Il. In this condition OF affairs
maternal affection soon asserted itself
and brought the old one, regardless OF
danger, TO its erring child. The fami-
ly group ere long became united once
more. but for some time the elders
watched the tree where l lay hidden
with keen and scrutinizing glances, In
dicating much distrust. So close was
| to them that | could, by the aid OF
nv glass. distinguish the glaring sharp
ness of their eyes. At length they
seemed satisfied that no danger was to
be apprebended, and sprang about
plucking and eating the opening leaf
buds and amusing themselves in differ
ent ways. Then they huddled togeth-
or on a bough, 70 rest and sleep lit
tie. There they Sat in perfect quiet
ness. a happy group-picturesque. and
very human in its aspect-one with its
head reclining on another's shoulder
and an arm encircling it, while a firm
hold was laid upon the tr uant young
ster. lest, when 1t awoke, 1t should be
of again and at its antics.
/ have spoken indiscriminately Of
monkeys in connection with the Gorge
OF the Chiifa, but they possess no tails,
and would be more correctly described
US apes. The fur of those l saw was
beautiful and clean. and they looked
healthy and happy; very different from
their miserable relatives In captivity
at the zoo, or those, still worse of.
that travel our country. bound with
strap and chain. In company with q
wheezy barrel-organ, and are made to
disport themselves 10 its depressing
strains in the mock attire Of man.
How changed the scene from that Of
their native African forest! 1t was so
pleasant and peaceful when l observed
1t that / was loath TO disturb the hap
py family. But remaining long In Q
constrained position, oven while study
ing nature in her home. is not agree
able, and tends TO produce cramps and
other Inconvenience, so that l was
obliged at last to move out OF my hid
ing place. For a moment the sleeping
monkeys were taken by surprise, and
then they scattered In different direc-
tions with marvellous agility.
was not the sole observer oil the
| scene. High up near the mountain
Il