Monkeys as Mimics.

Otago Witness, Issue 2058, 3 August 1893, Page 48

Monkeys as Mimics.

Men of science have discussed quite freely the statement, attributed by Mr Stanley to Umin Pasha, that the cbimpanzsea which inhabited the forest rf Msongwa, in Central Africa, had raided the p'antations of Mswa at night, lighting their way with torches which they carried in their hands. The statement is received among naturalists with entire incredulity; and it is supposed that Bmin Pasha, being very near sighted, mistook a tribe of the negro pigmies found in that region for monkeys. It is denied that any monkeys ever possessed a sufficient amount of to obtain fire and light torches. Suoh a performance would require a degree of original understanding which only man among living beings possesses. In mere imitation, however, the monk6y may be taught, or may himself learn, to do many wonderM things. In thß hotels and private houses of India monkeys have been found who were trained to wait at table, bringing dishes and articles of food in a more or less mechanical way. The story of tbe talented orang-utaug of Buffon, the naturalist, is . classic. This creature gave visitors his arm, walked witb them, showed them to tbe door, ate with a knife and fork, and drank from a glass, poured tea into a oup, sweetened it, and waited until it cooled before he drank it.

An orang-utang at' the Jardin dcs Plantes in Paris regularly unlocked with a key the door of the room which he occupied, opened the door, locked it on the other side after be had entered, and then hung the key on a nail. M. Flourena relates that he once visited

the Jardin dcs Flantes in company with an aged soholar, whose app* atance greatly interested this orang-utang, who was at large in the rooms of the institution. The old scholar wore very old-fashioned clothes, one article of which was a tall hat with a wide brim. He was much bent from age, and in walking supported himself upon a heavy cane.

When the two gentlemen were about to depart, the hat and cane of the old man were mißsing.' Presently the orang-utang was seen tottering through the room, his back bent almost double, wearing tbe bat upon his head, and walking stiiHy by the aid of the cane.

Father Oonbassou, a French missionary in the South Pacific, related that he had trained a young orang-utang to perform many useful offices ; but he took good care that the monkey should be locked up when he was conducting any service at church.

One Sunday, however, the monkey escaped from bis captivity and, unseen by the missionary, crept into the church while the sermon was being delivered, and took an elevated position in full view of the congregation. Here he began to imitate the gestures and manner of the preacher in a way so comic that tbe congregation could not help bursting into a laugh.

The priest was very indignant at such irreverent bebaviour, and reprimanded the native congregation sharply, pounding upon the pulpit as he did so, still without seeing the monkey.

At this the animal fell to imitating and exaggerating the performance of the priest, greatly to the increased mirth of the congregation. Matters were rapidly becoming worse, when the people began to point to the orang-utang, who was thenjsummarily removed,