MAMMALIA 263 



sability of the hallux to the other toes, which enables the foot to grasp 

 objects just as the hand does, the Primates below man (whose hallux, 

 of course is not opposable) are ' sometimes called quadrumana, four- 

 handed forms. 



As has been said this order is of comparatively little economic im- 

 portance. In many parts of the tropics .various species of monkeys 

 and even young gorillas are eaten and are said to be excellent. Since 

 a skinned monkey is so like a human child it is possible that stories 

 of cannibalism may have often arisen from the eating of these lower 

 Primates. 



PIG. 171. Monkey (macaque), Pithecus sp. 



In some places monkeys are a considerable pest, since they travel 

 about in herds and may be very destructive to fruits and other property. 



Many harrowing stories have been written about attacks of go- 

 rillas upon man, but these are probably exaggerated, as some of the 

 best authorities state that the gorilla will not voluntarily attack man. 

 Doubtless if cornered and compelled to do so it will, like almost all 

 animals, defend itself; and since a large gorilla weighs 500 pounds 

 and is strong in proportion it will be easily imagined that an unarmed 

 man would be absolutely helpless in such a conflict. 



Ungulata. Hoofed Mammals. The representatives of this order 

 are now frequently grouped into three orders: The Artiodactyla or 



