THE MONKEYS OF THE OLD WORLD. 



When the whole series of macaques is 

 carefully examined it is easy to perceive a 

 gradual transition from arboreal to terrestrial 

 forms, a transition still more marked in the 

 baboons. 



The head is large, the muzzle protruding, 

 the crest and borders of the skull as well as 



the supraorbital ridges are very prominent, 

 the body and the limbs powerful, the latter 

 almost equally long, the thumb and the great 

 toe highly developed. The canines are very 

 conspicuous, the tubercles on the molar teeth 

 are more pointed, the organs of generation 

 more prominent, and the ischial callosities 



"- 



F 'g- 7. Group of Rhesus Monkeys (Afacacus rhesus), page 51. 



larger than in the previous groups. Their 

 coat is mostly of a uniform colour. Some 

 species ascend high among the mountains, 

 even to elevations in which severe winters 

 prevail. 



Without doubt these monkeys, which 

 always live in troops under the leadership of 

 an old male, exhibit a high degree of mental 

 development, and in this respect, and con- 

 sequently also in capability of being tamed, 

 they are far in advance of most of the other 

 groups. But if Semnopitheci and Cerco- 

 pitheci are rather shy and even cowardly, the 

 macaques show greater confidence in their 

 strength, and therefore exhibit more boldness 

 and we may say impudence in all their doings. 



Although to be sure they are likewise expert 

 gymnasts and climbers, they are not to be 

 compared in respect of lightness and grace of 

 movement with the specifically arboreal forms. 

 If we may judge from the unseemly behaviour 

 of the captive specimens they appear to be of 

 a rather sensual nature, although in this 

 regard they do not equal the baboons, who 

 display an incredible degree of grossness, a 

 fact of which one has only too many oppor- 

 tunities of being convinced in monkey-houses. 

 In captivity they pair readily, and they are 

 fruitful not only among themselves but also 

 with other allied species. In respect of their 

 love for their offspring and their readiness to 

 defend them, as well as in all other habits and 



