The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1918-01-10
APES THAT RESEMBLE MEN
Almost Human characteristics Of the
Maias. Gibbon and Macaque
Found In Borneo.

The Sarawak region In Borneo,
ruled over by the Brooke family, Is a
famous hunting ground Of naturalists.
says the New York Evening Post. One
Of the best books on zoology and BIZ
ology OF the island that has yet ap-
peared mt In Robert w. c. Shell.
ford's "a Naturalist In Borneo."
Shelford was for seven years fol-
lowing 1897 the curator Of Rajah
Brooke's museum, and, an active and
interchangeable curious man, he has ex-
traordinary opportunities Of studying
the wild life OF the island.
The most interesting Of Borneo's
animals are the mammals and espe-
cinlly the simians; and here Mr.. Shell
ford offers some information that Is
quite new upon the maias-as he In.
slsts what Is ordinarily called an
orang-utan should be called-the glib.
bon, and the macaque. The first Is
not easily studied. ~ want to know
how many wives he keeps and how
he treats them" one Englishman
asked but until men can acquire ar.
boreal habits such things will remain
mysteries. The mnias are quick trav.
elcrs In the tree-tops. they love
swampy regions. where men can move
but slowly, and they are remarkably
inconsplcuous in the foliage. They are
fruit eaters of dainty habits, and
seldom stay long in one locality. Each
night they make a small nest by bend.
ing down small branches. to form a
platform In the fork of a bough, and
with the feet and hands tightly clasp
Ing the limbs go 10 sleep. A young
mains that Shelford kept rs n pet al.
ways slept in nm empty room furnish.
ed with an iron bedstead. ION the
steel laths Of this the ape would sol.
EMMY climb every evening at about
$50; he invariably sprawled on the
fiat OF his back, pulled over his head
and chest n piece Of sacking with
which he was provided, and with
hands and feet got n good grip on the
posts and frame Of the bed. In n few
minutes he would be asleep and his
snoring was so loud that Il could be
heard nearly all over the house." The
malas make Il good pet, being clean.
~, affectionate and more intelligent
than any other animal except man.
Mr.. Shelford gives the impression that
watching II young malas is like watch.
Ing n baby not quite so young; the In.
terplay of reason and instinct Is much
the same.
The glbbon has less intelligence, but
Is distinguished by the musical morn
Ing cry with which the jungle fairly
rings ut dawn-a cry more powerful
than the sons Of birds TO bring the
sluggard q 10 enjoy the most saiu,
brious part OF the Bornean day. But
the macaque has apparently, again.
a good deal Of sense. He alone Of
the three will, given a bowl OF water.
lift II with his hands and drink man
fashion. He can also be trained tn
pick coconuts, the modus operandi be-
ing very simple. A cord is fastened
about the monkeys waist and he Ia
sent up n palm. where he begins laying
hold OF the nuts. II the owner thinks
n particular nut ripe he shouts and
down II comes; II II IL unripe, he
piucks the cord and the monkey goes
on to another. Sometimes the cord Is
dispensed with entirely and the mon.
key submits to his masters voice,
something like gee and haw probably
representing ripe and unripe respec-
lively. We are not told that any mac
aques have been developed which are
able to use n trustworthy Judgment Of
their own as to the ripeness Of coco.
nuts; but the practice OF eugenics
upon a few generations Of these mon.
keys should do as much.