A LIVING BRIDGE.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 7 August 1914, Page 2

A LIVING BRIDGE.

MONKEY'S CLEVER PLAN FOR CROSSING A STREAM.

Tails are very unevenly distributed even among monkeys, the baboon having only a, short one, and the ape none at all, while the real monkeys are decorated with a 3'ard or two of continuation, which seems as though it must be very much in the way. But South American monkeys at least do a great deal with their tails. They build bridges with them, and this is the way they manage it. A troop of them on a journey (for they are much given to travelling in processions), will stop at the bank of a river that must be crossed while some of the oldest and wisest of the party run on to look for a good crossing-place. They always select a spot where the trees are closest together and bend toward the river ; and in a moment the strongest monkeys have twisted their tails round a branch, and hang there with their heads downward. A second monkey then slides down the body of the first, and twists his tail tightly round him. Others follow, until there is a long chain of monkeys, ending in an extra strong one, who manages to get his paws to the ground. This leader then pushes the ground with his hands until the chain of monkeys sways a little, and then still more, until with his long arms he can grasp a branch on the opposite side. This is half the battle, and the advance^ guard draws himself gradully up until he finds a branch strong enough for one of the bridge supports. Then he signals to his comrades that tho work is done, and all the monkeys who are not engaged as parts of the bridge climb the first tree and cross the river, from monkey to monkey, with the greatest ease. But what is to become of the live suspension bridge ? It does not care to stay there always as a natural curiosity, but its feelings have been considered. Two or three athletic monkeys have waited purposely to release their patient brethren, and taking hold of the last links of the chain on the farther side, they relieve their comrade 'who has been clutching the bough, and make the chain a little longer. Then they climb the tree, as high as the chain will stretch, and clasp a tough branch. At the word, monkey number one, on the nearer side, who has been clutching from the first, gladly lets go—and over the bridge swings, with no accident beyond a ducking- for that part of it that touches the water. The other end then drops to the ground, with the aid of branches and other supports ; arid the top monkey in the tree, who has a feeling of being generally dislocated, is very glad to get rid of it. He and the companions who have shared his perch wait until every monkey below is safe, when they, come down, and the procession takes up ils march again. Various gymnastic exercises are performed with these tails, which enable their owners to bridge themselves across from tree to tree in the dense South American forests ; and they also indulge in many antics, with their aid, solely for amusement.