232 LETTER XXXV 1 11. 



Monkies of different kinds have been brought i 

 Europe, and exhibited for the amusement of those 

 who delight in contemplating the wonders of the cre- 

 ation ; 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 oftenei* troublesome neighbours, for their 

 restless activity can be equalled only by their mis- 

 chievous ingenuity. 



In the woods of Africa, from Senegal to Ethiopia, 

 on the east, and the Cape of Good Hope on the south, 

 monkies are exceedingly numerouss. 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 Barien, to 

 the river La Plata. 



The numbers and various species of these animals-, 

 have induced naturalists to distinguish them by three 

 grand divisions, viz. Apes, or such as have no tails ; 

 Baboons, which have short tails; and Monkies, which 

 have long tails. 



In the ape kind, we see the whole external struc- 

 ture impressed with a striking resemblance of the hu- 

 man figure, and endowed with the capability of simi- 

 lar 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- 

 man form- He generally walks upon all four, and 

 seldom erect, except through the influence of instruc- 

 tion and constraint.. These animals have short tails,. 

 long faces, and ey.es deeply sunk in their sockets : 

 they are extremely ugly, and their disposition is cha- 

 racterized by the most brutal fierceness. Sor.ie ba- 

 boons are in stature as tali as a man, and far superior 

 ia strength. 



The monkev kind is much less than the formes^ 

 and appears slill further removed from, the human 





