1 8 NATURAL HISTORY IN ANECDOTE. 



feet and in several other characteristics. It is, however, 

 similar to the Hoolock in its amenity to kindness and its 

 affection for its master, when brought under the influence of 

 kindly treatment. The gibbons have great strength in their lower 

 limbs, whereby they are enabled to leap surprising distances. 

 M. Duvaneel said he once saw one of these animals clear 

 a space of forty feet, from the branch of a tree. Mr. George 

 Bennet, in his " Wanderings," describes the action of a 

 siamang that belonged to him, which having managed to free 

 himself of his tether, proceeded to embrace the legs of 

 the Malays whom he came across, until he discovered his 

 former master, whereupon he climbed into the Malay's arms 

 and hugged him with the tenderest affection. 



Monkeys. Monkeys differ from the apes we have dealt with in 

 the important characteristic, among others, of possessing tails. 

 These vary in length from inches to feet, in some cases being 

 considerably longer than the body and in others little more 

 than stumps. They vary also in form, some being completely 

 covered with hair, and others only partially so; some 

 apparently useful only as ornaments, others being prehensile, 

 that is capable of grasp, and giving their owners almost 

 the advantage of a fifth limb. 



The Sacred The Sacred Monkeys (Semnopithecidce) in- 

 Monkeys. elude two genera and a large number of species. 

 Among these are the species which bear the name of 

 Hanuman, a Hindoo divinity, and are worshipped in his 

 honour. The protection these monkeys receive on account 

 of the superstitions prevalent concerning them, leads to their 

 large increase in numbers and to many inconveniences 

 arising therefrom. It is said that if a traveller should be 

 unfortunate enough to offend one of these animals he is 

 likely enough to be followed by the whole party howling in 

 a most hideous and discordant manner, and pelting him 

 with any missiles upon which they can lay their hands. 

 There are eighteen species of the Semnopithecus, all of which 



