登陆注册
5370200000020

第20章

When handled or nursed, it was very quiet and contented, but when laid down by itself would invariably cry; and for the first few nights was very restless and noisy. I fitted up a little box for a cradle, with a soft mat for it to lie upon, which was changed and washed everyday; and I soon found it necessary to wash the little Mias as well. After I had done so a few times, it came to like the operation, and as soon as it was dirty would begin crying and not leave off until I took it out and carried it to the spout, when it immediately became quiet, although it would wince a little at the first rush of the cold water and make ridiculously wry faces while the stream was running over its head. It enjoyed the wiping and rubbing dry amazingly, and when Ibrushed its hair seemed to be perfectly happy, lying quite still with its arms and legs stretched out while I thoroughly brushed the long hair of its back and arms. For the first few days it clung desperately with all four hands to whatever it could lay hold of, and I had to be careful to keep my beard out of its way, as its fingers clutched hold of hair more tenaciously than anything else, and it was impossible to free myself without assistance. When restless, it would struggle about with its hands up in the air trying to find something to take hold of, and, when it had got a bit of stick or rag in two or three of its hands, seemed quite happy. For want of something else, it would often seize its own feet, and after a time it would constantly cross its arms and grasp with each hand the long hair that grew just below the opposite shoulder. The great tenacity of its grasp soon diminished, and I was obliged to invent some means to give it exercise and strengthen its limbs. For this purpose I made a short ladder of three or four rounds, on which I put it to hang for a quarter of an hour at a time. At first it seemed much pleased, but it could not get all four hands in a comfortable position, and, after changing about several times, would leave hold of one hand after the other, and drop onto the floor.

Sometimes when hanging only by two hands, it would loose one, and cross it to the opposite shoulder, grasping its own hair; and, as this seemed much more agreeable than the stick, it would then loose the other and tumble down, when it would cross both and lie on its back quite contentedly, never seeming to be hurt by its numerous tumbles. Finding it so fond of hair, I endeavoured to make an artificial mother, by wrapping up a piece of buffalo-skin into a bundle, and suspending it about a foot from the floor. At first this seemed to suit it admirably, as it could sprawl its legs about and always find some hair, which it grasped with the greatest tenacity. I was now in hopes that I had made the little orphan quite happy; and so it seemed for some time, until it began to remember its lost parent, and try to suck. It would pull itself up close to the skin, and try about everywhere for a likely place; but, as it only succeeded in getting mouthfuls of hair and wool, it would be greatly disgusted, and scream violently, and, after two or three attempts, let go altogether.

One day it got some wool into its throat, and I thought it would have choked, but after much gasping it recovered, and I was obliged to take the imitation mother to pieces again, and give up this last attempt to exercise the little creature.

After the first week I found I could feed it better with a spoon, and give it a little more varied and more solid food. Well-soaked biscuit mixed with a little egg and sugar, and sometimes sweet potatoes, were readily eaten; and it was a never-failing amusement to observe the curious changes of countenance by which it would express its approval or dislike of what was given to it.

The poor little thing would lick its lips, draw in its cheeks, and turn up its eyes with an expression of the most supreme satisfaction when it had a mouthful particularly to its taste. On the other hand, when its food was not sufficiently sweet or palatable, it would turn the mouthful about with its tongue for a moment as if trying to extract what flavour there was, and then push it all out between its lips. If the same food was continued, it would set up a scream and kick about violently, exactly like a baby in a passion.

After I had had the little Mias about three weeks, I fortunately obtained a young hare-lip monkey (Macacus cynomolgus), which, though small, was very active, and could feed itself. I placed it in the same box with the Mias, and they immediately became excellent friends, neither exhibiting the least fear of the other. The little monkey would sit upon the other's stomach, or even on its face, without the least regard to its feelings. While I was feeding the Mias, the monkey would sit by, picking up all that was spilt, and occasionally putting out its hands to intercept the spoon; and as soon as I had finished would pick off what was left sticking to the Mias' lips, and then pull open its mouth and see if any still remained inside; afterwards lying down on the poor creature's stomach as on a comfortable cushion. The little helpless Mias would submit to all these insults with the most exemplary patience, only too glad to have something warm near it, which it could clasp affectionately in its arms. It sometimes, however, had its revenge; for when the monkey wanted to go away, the Mias would hold on as long as it could by the loose skin of its back or head, or by its tail, and it was only after many vigorous jumps that the monkey could make his escape.

同类推荐
  • 西归行仪

    西归行仪

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 佛说金刚香菩萨大明成就仪轨经

    佛说金刚香菩萨大明成就仪轨经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 新唐书纠谬

    新唐书纠谬

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • Ten Years Later

    Ten Years Later

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 夏日独直,寄萧侍御

    夏日独直,寄萧侍御

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 御彩

    御彩

    曾经她有透视异能赌石谋得翡翠易如反掌,却从不曾看清爱人冷酷无情的真面目。家破、亲人离散,她甚至死得无知无觉、不明不白。还魂木鱼石、八音灵璧石;钻石、祖母绿、红蓝宝石、猫眼变石;金香玉、千古璞玉……如今她不仅要用变废为宝的新异能将奇石珠宝美玉玩得风生水起,更要牢牢掌握命运,绝不再将人生轻易断送!那混蛋欠的血债,也定要他用血来偿!已有完结作品《殊途志》、《女官》、《女王纪》,请放心收养本文,求所有票纸。喜欢的亲请加群讨论:171895279
  • 拿部手机闯异界

    拿部手机闯异界

    程凡贪小便宜从神秘风衣人手中以低价购得一部号称永不断电的次世代光能手机“魅影-X”,随机还附赠蓝牙耳机一枚,却没想到因此在睡梦中被莫名其妙传送至异世界。“魅影-X”手机商城内虽然拥有海量神奇应用,但需要大量金币点才能购买。程凡也就此开启了:赚大钱、买应用、泡美女、战宿敌、集纹影的全新异界生活。然而这一切的背后究竟是程凡的幸运之旅,还是阴谋陷阱中被恶意安排下的一环......
  • 特种部队:向我开火

    特种部队:向我开火

    新兵连长口中的孬兵龚晓宇在刺激之下努力成为合格军人,在战争中的每一个抉择都让他成长,为遗志而进入特种部队成就一段传说。他在平淡中诞生,在炮火中的洗礼,在抉择面前坚定。本书为您讲述一代兵王的辛酸军旅。
  • 高门嫡女:弃妃重生

    高门嫡女:弃妃重生

    高门贵女在家如珠如宝,一朝进入后宫博弈,却是满盘皆输。庶妹争宠,姨娘凶残。高墙深宫内,她的君王她的丈夫对她恨之入骨,不惜毁掉怀胎中的皇子,虐杀废后。恨意滔天,她浴血重生,势必要让这对狗男女血债血偿。踩庶女,虐渣男,姨娘种种靠边站,重生历劫归来,过招拆招她要换来一个完美人生。当遇到对她情深似海真心以对的心上人,她是否可以依旧对爱情奋不顾身?都说曾今沧海难为水,除却巫山不是云,你,还是我的唯一。如雪读者群172138457
  • 我家柠檬精又又又酸了

    我家柠檬精又又又酸了

    四岁的他抱着皱皱巴巴的小女孩,在纸上歪歪扭扭的写下三个字。小、火、勺。某天,她扬言要以身相许。“夏小灼,你知不知道,长得好看的叫以身相许,长得丑的叫恩将仇报。”“嘤嘤嘤,那我这样的呢。”“你这叫命中注定是我的人。”他比她大了四岁,一字读半边,他总是叫她夏小火,她总爱叫他臭哥哥。某日,她张开双臂,“哥哥要抱抱!”“抱。”隔日,她撅起嘴,“哥哥要亲亲!”“亲。”再隔日,“哥哥,…”“举高高?”【青梅竹马】
  • 穿越农家当宝妈

    穿越农家当宝妈

    穿越农家不恐怖,农女囡囡有医术;家徒四壁漏风墙,囡囡当爹又当娘;上有老,下有娃,行医染布把家发;农女农女当自强,穷窝窝里出凤凰。某月某日某时某男:“实不相瞒,我是团子的爹~”“哦,我是团子的娘。”话毕,某女淡定欲走。某男皱眉,“难道,你就没有什么话对我说?”“有!”某女说得斩钉截铁。“喔?”某男喜上眉梢。“有,当然有!有多远~你就滚多远!”
  • 震惊,一小伙玩王者竟然

    震惊,一小伙玩王者竟然

    少年医院惊醒究竟为何?应聘工作却遇上这事究竟是福是祸?漂亮妹子被围该不该救?王者竟然一再强迫小伙玩他,究竟是游戏的沦丧还是系统的扭曲?甩不掉的系统,不得不做的任务,震惊,一小伙竟因系统被迫走上人生巅峰。
  • 傲娇小花旦:小鲜肉,我罩你

    傲娇小花旦:小鲜肉,我罩你

    女王谈个新戏,约了导演跟经纪人,撞见美男被娱乐圈胖导演压在沙发上,见美男可怜兮兮,正义感爆发,上演了救美男的戏码,美男救了,自己被灌醉了。“你在这里干嘛?”“拍戏。”“演死尸?”叶女王傲娇道:“跟我来,让导演给你安排特约。”结果女王花边绯闻缠身。叶女王谈代言,跟合作人员吃饭,撞见美男被一堆富婆围着灌酒,,叶女王脸色铁青,一个电话过去:“程亦羡,姐白给你蹭人气了!你居然在这里陪富婆,就你那破经纪公司和,你还舍不得到什么时候?”女王软下口气:“我朋友新开了家公司,正打算培养一批新人,要不你去试试?”再后来,美男也有翻身的一天!
  • 众事分阿毗昙论

    众事分阿毗昙论

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 我的长安探花郎

    我的长安探花郎

    犹记得放榜那天,探花郎在酒楼与人把酒言欢回首往事,不无遗憾地说道:“我年少时爱慕过的邻家公子,后来中了状元,做了驸马,春风得意风光无限,怕是早已不记得我这个昔日里就无关紧要的小青梅了。”那天大雪纷飞,雪花铺满了整个长安街,段相爷一身白衣极尽风雅地替她煨着桌上的小酒,听此,附在她耳边不无委屈道:“本相这一生从未羡慕过任何人,唯独你那邻家公子,每每想起便嫉妒的挠心挠肺。但是李家姑娘,你又何必难过,我欢喜你,从始至终一直都欢喜你。”