Democratic messenger., 1889-11-23
CRAB CATCHING MONKEYS.
How the Crafty Ape Of Java Goes Fish
Ing with His Tail.

How the Crafty Ape Of Java Goes Fish
Ing with His Tail.
Monkeys abound in the island Of
Java" said an old eastern traveller,
''for shooting them is looked upon M
the worst kind Of vandalism, and
they do very littlc damage, rarely in
juring the crops on the farms and liv.
ing chiefly on wild fruits. There is,
however, species Of large ape there
that is not wholly a vegetarian. He
is about the size of q small chimpan.
zee, and when fully grown his dark
face is encircled with bushy white
beard and whiskers, giving it very
whimsical expression, ludicrously like
that Of little old man. He is not at
all wild, and heseems 10 have some idea
of practical joking, which leads him
occasionally to descend TO the lower
boughs Of high tree in the evening
and hold out his paw in apparent
friendlincss to any one who happens
10 be near.
"A person who is not familiar with
the queer brute's tricks is apt to sup.
pose that the monkey desires 70 shake
his hand, and goes under the tree for
the purpose of meeting the amicablc
advance half way. He is fortunate il
he escapes slap in the face. At all
events the paw is withdrawn before
the human fingers touch it, and the
ape, sitting few feet above the range
OF q mans spring. scratches his ribs
and gibbers insultingly. The long
tail is sometimes lowered instead OF
the hand, and then the chances OF the
creature dealing o malicious stroke arc
greatly increased, for the caudal ap.
pendage is extremely 1.-THE and flex-
ible, and is Of as much service to its
owner rs fifth limb.
1t is u noticeable thing about these
tails that they are nearly always badly
SCARED at the extremity, and frequent
~ bear wounds quite fresh and still
bleeding The monkeys use their
tails rs fishing lines, and with them
catch the crabs that infcst the coast Of
the island. These crabs are about the
size Of the har,lshell crustacea Of the
same species that are offered for sale
in our own markets, and the apes arc
their only enemies, for nobody else on
the island cares TO eat them. They
live in holes several yards above high
water mark. and when they emerge TO
search for food they look cautiously
around 10 see whether an ape is near
is they see one or suspect his presence
they go back, and they are SO quick in
their movements, that the monkey
has no chance Of catching them. But
the animal has perfect passion for
crab meat, and his appetite must be
gratificd at any personal sacrifice.
Going TO hole into which he
has seen crab retreat, hCinscrts his
tail as far as it will extend, which is
generally 10 the end of the cavity.
Any person concealed in the vicinity
and watching him at such moment
sees the funniest spectacle imagin-
able. The fisher sits perfectly still
with his mouth wide open, an ex.
preston Of anxious expectancy on his
face, and anticipatory tears in his
eyes. lie never has long to wait, for
Java's crab is very much like the
swapping turtle in its disposition. In
n few minutes the monkeys mouth
closes with snap, the teeth are
clinchcd tightly, the eyes shut and
the water that has risen 10 them trick.
les down the hairy cheeks.
THE contortions of the cointenancc
speak of torture hcroically endured /;
for the animal has bite, and he is
waiting for the prey to take fast hold
Then the tail. with the doomed crab
clinging To its tip. is jerked swiftly
from the hole, whirlcd around for II
,uple Of seconds to give il impetus,
brought down on the ground with
y that breaks the crabs shell ms
i were a badly guarded head
Nibrook fair. The apes meal
He picks out the meat with
NY interrupting his enjoy
'epast now and then 10
commiseration and
pdcd tail with his
Blade.