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CHAPTER XXVIII. 

 T1S2S MOlOHalT KIND. 



" There roam the ape, the monkey, and baboon, 

 Fearless and fierce amid their native woods." 



IT is now, when we are drawing towards the conclusion of 

 our survey of the first great division of animated nature, that 

 we are to prepare for the contemplation of objects still more cu- 

 rious and striking than those we have yet met with. 



The objects of curiosity which we are now going to bring 

 forward to view, are some of the most remarkable and inter- 

 esting. 



ANIMALS OF THE MONKEY KIND. 



These are a race which consists of a greater variety of kinds, 

 and makes nearer approaches to the human species, both in form 

 and action, than any other class of animal beings. 



Monkeys of different kinds have been brought into Europe, 

 and exhibited for the amusement of those who delight in con- 

 templating the wonders of the creation ; but they are natives 

 only of the warmest parts of the globe, and abound chiefly in the 

 torrid zone, where they entertain with their frolics, and annoy 

 with their mischievous pranks, the inhabitants of the tropical 

 regions. 



In those countries, indeed, they are sometimes amusing, but 

 oftener troublesome neighbours, for their restless activity can 

 be equalled only by their mischievous ingenuity. 



In the woods of Africa, from Senegal to Ethiopia, on the east, 

 and the Cape of Good Hope on the south, monkeys are exceed- 

 ingly numerous. They also abound in all parts of India, and the 

 oriental islands, as also in Japan, and the southern provinces of 

 China ; and they are likewise found in great numbers in every 

 part of South America, from the isthmus of Darien to the river 

 La Plata. 



The numbers, and various species of these animals, have in- 

 duced naturalists to distinguish them by three grand divisions, 

 viz : Apes, or such as have no tails ; Baboons, which have short 

 tails ; and Monkeys, which have long tails. 



In the ape kind, we see the whole external structure impressed 

 with a striking resemblance of the human figure, and endowed 

 with the capability of similar exertions. They walk erect, and 

 the conformation of their hands and feet exactly resembles that 

 of ours. The baboon exhibits a less striking likeness of the hu- 



