Morning journal and courier., 1891-02-23
LUCK OF CEzATTERING CAMP.
Changed Condition In the Monkey
Cage Since the Coming of an An
thropoid Infant.
From the Philadelnhia Innuirarl

LUCK OF GATHERING CAMP.
Changed Condition In the Monkey
Cage Since the Coming of an An
thropoid Infant.
From the Philadelphia Inquirerl
There was all exciting time among the
monkeys at the Geological Garden yester-
day. Since the birth of the cunning little
one several days ago great CONSERVATION
has prevailed in the evolutionary family.
1t seems to be not only the idol of its fond
parents. but also the joy and pride of the
entire group. Different ones shared in
fondling and coddling it, and the quarrels
and knock downs which have occurred in
the efforts of the other monkeys to get
possession of it have produced some re-
markably ludicrous scenes
One of these funny incidents took place
early yesterday, frightening one of the
night watchmen half out of his wits
Just as he was about rounding the garden
on the last patrol of his beat Watchman
Shuman had his attention directed to the
monkey house by a terrific commorion,
So great ard unusual was the uproar that
the man was startled. Nearly every morn
ing the monkeys welcome the day with a
general clatter, but this timethe noise was
appalling. All sorts of sounds such as
only monkeys with good lungs can pro-
duce, mingled with shrill shrieks, piercing
yells and loud screams, We're issuing from
the quarters, giving the watchman the i'm
preston that somessnimal of prey had got
into their cage and was sIaughtering the
monkeys, or else a deadly battle among
themselves such as has occurred several
times, was in progress. fastening in as
fast as his feet could carry him, he found
the army of monkeys formed in circle
around one of their number, chattering
and shrieking, while they clambered over
one another, rolled about the floor, and
INDUCED in other strange and unaccounta-
bic antics. If Bedlam had been turned
loose in the big cage the confusion could
not have been more, the uproar or the
scene more ludicrous.
For several moments the watchman
stood an amused spectator, astonished and
bewildered AT the strange performance
when suddenly one of the larger of the
cunning creatures advanced TO the monkey
in the center. Selling the infant, which
mp to this time was unobserved by the
man, the large monkey gave a big leap and
made off with it. Up the side of the cage
he ran like a squirrel, holding the baby in
one arm and climbing with the other,
while fifty more monkeys. with lungs like
brass tea kettles, followed in hot pursuit
with the frenzied mother, all screaming
chattering and shrickirc to the full extent
of their vocal capacity Around and
around the kilnapper, who seemed to be
the most agile and heetest of foot of the
lot, ran. holding his infant charge secure
to protect it from harm. Meanwhile the
excitement and confusion appeared, ii pos
sible, to increase. Instead of turning and
heading him off, the foolish animals CON
timed to chase him from the rear. Ere
quently falling over one another in their
preciDitate rush 10 recover the baby.
II this manner they ran arnund for s,-v-
eral moments. The watchman, bewildered
as well IS amused at their capers stood
by, enjoying the funny scene, AT a loss To
know what to do. Finally the big, old
monkey, which had stolen the precious
infant, suddenly turned into the center of
the cage To where the mother sat when he
grabbed it from her arms Stopping
abruptly, he seemed to bid defiance to the
pursuers, and while they, evidently seized
with fear to approach. collected about
him in circle and chattercd as they had
done about the mother. he held it tender |
ly to his bosom in one arm and stroked its |
little body affectionately with the other. |
Thus caressing it for moment, he handed |
it back to its glad mother, and there was
JOY throughout the whole family.
AS Il result OF TINS incident Lazy Jane
and her baby, Rosinn. were transferred
later in the day by Head Keeper Byrne TO
n special cage, where there are only three
or four other monkeys. The baby was
christened ROsina by an adTirer of RUsi-
ma Vokes, the dramatic star.
Ever since this Young one was born, a
few days ago, there has been the greatest
time among the monkeys" said Keeper
Byrne. They all seem to he just as thor
oughly in love with the little creature as
ever a family of girls We're with an infant
brother. The mother appears to realize
that they regard it with affection, and she
has undertaken to cultivate this affection
ate feeling by loaning it ont to others To
nurse. In consequence it has been hand
ed about from one to the other until in the
general admiration its stomach has been
forgotten and ii has not been receiving
nOurishment frequently enough. This is
not intentional neglect on the part OF the
mother. When she loans it there is trou-
BILE in getting ii back, because they pass it
from one to another. 1t is very hardy
little creature. and seems TO stand an
amazing amount of handling The others
caper with it very gently, however, and
understand as well as its mother that it
requires tender treatment. Since ] have
moved the mother and it into another
cage, where there are only few others, ii
will not be neglected, for there are not so
many to coddlc it
The little one which has created so much
commotion in the monkey family weighs
only about pound. Its limbs, body and
head are perfectly developed, and in gene
raj appearance it is also n counterpart of
its parent, except it is in color dark
pink. Its dininutive body is covered
with a slight growth of fine hair of a vel-
loUiSb hua II iS Iursp6 a+ fEp IreaSt pf
its mother after the same manner as
hol,1