St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1892-04-16
NOVEL USE OF a RAT.

L
Monkeys Utilize the Rodent IA . Cushiea
The monkeys at Lincoln fark sppar.
emily possess more robust constitutions
than their brothe's and sisters confined
in Central park, New York. Not long
ago . genuine epidemic Of the grip af.
ficted the Gotham monkeys AZ one
after the other became affect Cd they
exhibited every system of the prevail
ing disease. In . few instances they
recovered. but the constitutions Of many
were too frail to pull them through.
There are now four monkeys in Lin
coin park and they seem never TO have
been healthier since they entered their
present quarterA Damp weather.
however. is disastrous to the average
monkeys health, and il all escape
pneumonis or even consumption during
the winter they will be more fortunate
than captive monkeys generally arc.
These monkeys arc in possession Of .
strange play fellow. whom they are util-
izing rs only monkeys ingenuity can
suggest Adjoining their cage stands
another containing . large 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
exhibited similar interest in the mon
keys. A week ago the keeper trans
ferred the largest white rat in the csge
to the monkeys den. to zee. what world
be the effect Of the nearer companion
ship.
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 . marked willingness to share
their food with the newcomer, and the
rat was allowed to remain.
With q reluctance born Of distrust
the monkeys hesitated fora long time
before cultivating q closer friendship.
Finally, one afternoon while the rat
was fast asleep beneath the trapese.
which is suspended from the middle Of
the cage. the most inquisitive monkey
in the cage cautiously lowered himself
from it by his tail. A little black paw
was extended - Ave tawny flugoss
hesitatingly stroked the rats soft fur.
It seemed to answer his expectation,
and in . few moments . fast frieU6ahip
had been formed a1a there - 49,
mony among all concerned. Ono -,
the other the moalne0o 1o0dlo4 ~
rat in their arDo cd A1spboa II
fur. They would climb with Il 70 the
perch Of their cage. but not once did
they drop it or show the least inclina-
tion to harm their pet Monkeys and
rat ate from the same dish. and fre-
quently a eedate old fellow would in.
terrupt his own meal to give . choice
,norsel to his little white companion or
to stroke his back. as the monkey
family gathered together around the
dish.
This state of affairs continued for
several days until. in an unfortunate
moment-for the rat, at least-a new
use WAS found for it Monkeys, like
human beings, delight in comfort The
monkey cage Is not fitted up with cush.
ioned seats and the occupants seemed
to long for . life of ease. After much
apparent thinking ana scratching OF
ears, one old monkey decided to utilize
the rat for cushion. He gently placed 4
the rat on the floor Of the cage and sat
ON It The rat did not movc-in fact he
seemed to enjoy the new use to which
he had been placed-and the intelli-
gent monkey chattered with delight
The rest tried it, and they were equal
" pleased. From that day until now
the white rat has served as . seat for
the monkeys who become almost
frantic when IN attempt b made TO re-
move their luxury. They have con-
tinued TO be - kind and gentle with
their pet IS ever, and. since the rat
seems to be none the worse for the pc.
culiar 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 demuro
monkey seated upon the patient rat
scratching his ear or picking his teeth
in sagacious monkey meditation.-Chi-
cago Tribune. ....< t...s