The National tribune., 1895-08-15

This beautiful creature formed devoted at
tachment for Maltese cat. which it teascd Ia
its own content. because pussy never resented
its impertinenccs; it would drag grimak in
around by its tail emf its ears. poke it in the
ribs, pull lis whiskers, and roll it over like a
ball. One day a strange toDcat came to visit
the douc's pet aud the monkey, which must
have been suffering from temporary nearsight.
edness mistook him Tor its pet.
The result most disastrous. the visitor
returning the doucs playful attacks with such
vigor that its beauty was greatly marred for
many days. Thenceforward il hated poor, in
noccnt Maltese with a venom that mex
tnguishabe. so that the gentleman was con-
strained to keep the aforetimcs friends utterly
apart. to the evident surprise of the Ma4ese,
which, not having seen the onslaught of the
tomcat. wss at q loss to understand the auimos-
ity of its quondom intimate.
A Chicago citizen once owned thumbless
Coi0Jos ferrHginegs. bay monkey, which
like all of its family, was native of Africa.
The species is rare, aud its owner priced 1T
highly. This coobos WAS inordinately fond of
fruit and wine. and moro than once became ill.,
gloriously drunk from overindnlgence in the
latter when given by the master in larger
quantities than usual under the dclusion that
il would cure it OF the habit.
While a swift runner upon tho ground, this
pretty creature was agile climber and a
prodgious learer from branch to branch, NOV
ing from tree to tree in its owners eapacious
grounds with almost lightninR-like rapidity.
Cnffee as it was termed, had an iuvotcrate
habit of teasing aud worrying dogs. Its prac-
tice was to take a position on the fence near
the front gate aud lac in wait patiently until q
canine came by. whom. without warning, 1T
would leap nimlly upon the poor creatures 3
back, bury its sharp nails IN the qnivering
flesh. and quickly leap back to the fence.
There was that hnman-like in its grin OF salts
faction as its sharp little eyes followed tho
thoroughly frightened and yelping brute in q
mad Eight down the street.
naval officer Of the United States. travel
ing in Ahyssinia. encountered several varieties
of the guenons genus that pertains TO equa-
torial Africa. all OF which are noted for their
beauty. They are saucy aud full of nfnite
mischief Que Of them oLce entering his tent in
his absence and mixing up his medicines in a
dreadful manner, the officer having left bottles
OF quinine magnesia, aloes etc, upon the
ground.
What bottles the merry sprite could not un-
cork it ruthlessly smashed. and all their con-
tents. very precious ia that disease-breeding
country, were lost forever. The culprit was
found an hour later at the foot OF palm tree.
desperately sick from overdoses OF the drugs.
The officer captured it. aud would have made
Of il pet but for its tbicving and destructive
propensties.
This guenon was choleric, but its anger soon
passed. When enrgged it had manner of
drawing back its ears like dog in passion.
Macagues connect the guenons with the ba-
boons, which eud the Old World group that be-
gins with the gorilla. But two of the latter
were ever taken alive to Europe, one to Stutt-
CART and the other to Berlin.
America is yet to greet the first one. The
savage nature of this beast has been greatly
exaggerated, aud if the natives of Africa lid
not stand in such awe of them there is no reason
in the world why they might not be captured
and shipped 10 other countries.
Chimpanzees have foGud their way to this
country, and these are the most interesting aud
intelligent of The ape family. Oraug oHrangs
aud gibbons may bo seen in the larger colIec-
tions Of animals in America as well as in Eu
rome.
But the apes like the monkeys, do not long
survive captivity in colder countries. They
are creatures of warmth aud sunshine and
chill weather speedily consigns them TO death
Hunting stories told of fierce encounters with
gorillas. cbimpanzees and orang outaugs may
generally be set down TO the credit OF the
imagination of those who write them.
Monkeys that are seen in museums and me-
nagcries in this country are chiefly from South