304 ANIMALS OF THE 



from the intrusion of all strangers of a different 

 race from themselves. In this they somewhat 

 resemble the human inhabitants of the savage 

 nations among whom they are found, where the 

 petty kingdoms are numerous, and their manners 

 opposite. There, . in the extent of a few miles, 

 the traveller is presented with men speaking dif- 

 ferent languages, professing different religions, 

 governed by different laws, and only resembling 

 each other in their mutual animosity. 



In general, monkeys of all kinds, being less 

 than the baboon, are endued with less powers of 

 doing mischief. Indeed, the ferocity of their 

 nature seems to diminish with their size ; and 

 when taken wild in the woods, they are sooner 

 tamed, and more easily taught to imitate man, 

 than the former. More gentle than the baboon, 

 and less grave and sullen than the ape, they soon 

 begin to exert all their sportive mimickries, and 

 are easily restrained by correction. But it must 

 be confessed that they will do nothing they are 

 desired without beating ; for, if their fears be 

 entirely removed, they are the most insolent and 

 headstrong animals in nature. 



In their native woods they are not less the 

 pests of man than of other animals. The monkeys, 

 says a traveller, * are in possession of every forest 

 where they reside, and may be considered as the 

 masters of the place. Neither the tiger, nor the 

 lion itself, will venture to dispute the dominion, 

 since these, from the tops of trees, continually 



* Description Historique de Maca9ar, p. 51. 



