The morning news., 1891-12-29
MONKEYS UTILIZE A RAT.
snsy Convert Him Into a Cushion for
Their Family.

Their Family.
CHICAGO, Dec T.-The monkeys at I'm
coin park apparently possess more robust
constitutions than their brothers and sister.
confined in Central park. New York. Not
long ago genuine epidemic OF the grin
afflicted the Gotham monkeys. As one af.
ter the other became affected they exhibited
every symptom Of the prevailing disease
In few instances they recovered, but the
constitutions Of many were too fraiI to mil
them through.
There are now four monkeys at Lincsln
park and they seem never to have hasn
healthier since they entered their present
quarters. Damp weather, however, ia ais
gstrous TO the average monkey's health
and if all escape pneumonia or even con,
sumption during the winter they will be
more Iortunate tnan captive monkeys gen.
orally are.
These monkeys are in possession of a
strange piayfellow, whom they are utilizing
as only monkeys ingenuity can suggest
Adjoining their cage stands another CON
tanning lerge number of white rats. For
many months the pink-eyed rodents have
excited great deal of inquisitiveness on the
part OF their four neighbors. The monkeys
have spent the greater portion of their time
peering at the rats, and the latter have Az
a
week ago the keeper transferred the largest
white rat in the cage 10 the monkeysi den
TO see what would be the effect Of the nearer
companionship. .-..
When the rat made his advent into the
monkeys cage the cunning animals
screamed with delight, but none Of them
made the slightest effort to harm the visitor.
On the contrary. they showed a marked
willingness to share their food with the newt
and fha
With reluctance born Of dlstrust. the
monkeys hesitated for a long time before
cultivating closer friendship Finally.
one afternoon while the rat was fast asleep
beneath the trapeze, which is suspended
from the middle of the cage, the most in
quisitive monkey In the cage cautiously
lowered himself from 1t by his tail. A little
black paw was extended and five tawny
fingers hesitatingiy stroked the rats soft fur.
1t seemed to answer his expectation and in
a few moments q fast friendship had been
formed and there was harmony among all
concerned. One after the other, the monkeys
fondled the rat in their arms and stroked It's
fur. They would climb with it to the high.
est perch Of their Gage, but not once did they
drop 1t or show the Decentralization 60 harm
their pet. Monkeys and rat ate from the
same dish, and frequently a sedate old fell
low would interrupt his own meal, to give a
or to stroke his back, as the monkey family
gathered together around the dish.
This state of affairs continued tor several
days, until, in an unfortunate moment-ror
the rat, at least-a new use was found for
1t. Monkeys, like human beings, delight in
comfort. The monkey cage is not fitted up
with cushioned seats, and the occupants
seemed TO long for life of ease. After
much apparent thinking and scratching of
ears, one old monkey decided 10 utilize the
rat for a cushion. be gently placed the rat
on the floor of the cage and sat on it. The
rat did not move-in fact he seemed to
enjoy the new use to which he had
been placed-and the intelligent
monkey chartered with delight. The rest
tried it, and they were equally pleased.
From that day until now the white rat has
served as a seat for the monkeys, who be-
come almost frantic when an attempt it
made TO remove their luxury. They have
continued to be as kind and gentle with
their pet as ever, and since the rat seems to
be none the worse for the peculiar use to
which he has been put he has been allowed
to remain.
Visitors at the Zoo spend much time
watching the queer proceedings, and at
almost any time one can find demure mon
key seated upon the patient rat scratching
his ear or picking his teeth in sagacious
monkey meditation.