156 



FAMILY SIMIAD^. CHIMPANZEE. 



those who treat them kindly, and seem to study to comprehend 

 the directions given to them. On the other hand, the Monkeys 

 are characterized by cunning, petulance, caprice, and mischievous 

 curiosity ; their actions are far more rapid than those of most of 

 the Apes, and are destitute of that gravity which marks the lat- 

 ter; and they are far from being as intelligent and educable, and 

 display much less attachment to individuals. The Baboons are 

 much less amiable than either, and exhibit a sullen ferocity, 

 together with a comparative absence of intelligence, which pre- 

 vents them from receiving any large measure of education, or 

 from being even properly reduced to subjection. 



148. The Apes are principally confined to the Peninsula of 

 Malacca, and the great islands of the Indian Ocean. One species, 

 the Chimpanzee, inhabits Western Africa ; and this is the one 

 which presents the nearest approach to Man, of the entire group. 



The conformation of the lower extre- 

 mities enables it to walk erect with 

 considerable firmness; and in the 

 same proportion it is rendered unfit 

 for climbing. All the accounts we 

 possess (and they are still very 

 imperfect) represent this animal, in 

 its natural state, as living on the 

 ground, rather than in trees ; and 

 it is described as building a hut for 

 its residence, and using a club for 

 attack and defence, in this and 

 many other respects, more parti- 

 cularly when its habits are observed 

 in captivity, exhibiting a degree of 

 intelligence which is manifested by 

 no other Ape. It feeds upon fruits 

 and nuts, and lives in small socie- 

 ties. No full-grown specimen has 

 ever been brought alive to this 



country ; and it is only within the last few years, that even the 

 dead body of an adult has been scientifically examined. The 



'Fio. 68. CHIMPANZEE. 



