04 VERTEBRATA. MAMMALIA. 



to be taken away without any signs of displeasure 

 or attempts at resistance.* It usually drinks by 

 dipping the long fingers into water and sucking 

 them. 



The Wouwou, (H. Agilis,) is of very different 

 habits. In form it is much like the preceding, but 

 of less size ; its height when erect being three feet. 

 In its native woods it springs from tree to tree with 

 wonderful agility, and is rarely taken alive. In cap- 

 tivity it is much less lively, but has not the apathy 

 imputed to the Siamang. In both species, such is 

 the length of the arms that the fingers touch the 

 ground when the animal stands erect. 



The Monkeys, properly so called, constituting the 

 genera Cercopithecus,-\ Semnopithecus, Macacus, &c., 

 are too familiarly known to need much description. 

 Generally they are of small size, have a muzzle 

 more prominent than the Apes, callosities on the 

 rump, cheek-pouches, and a long tail. They abound 

 in the tropical countries of the Old World, inhabit- 

 ing the trees in large companies ; they feed on fruits, 

 to obtain which they often plunder fields and gar- 

 dens. The species are exceedingly numerous, and 

 in captivity their surprising agility, prying curiosity, 

 odd grimaces, and mischievous pranks, have rendered 

 them the mountebanks of the animal world. 



* Raffles and Bennett, however, give much more favourable reports of 

 its manners : the latter gentleman has recorded many interesting particu- 

 lars of one which he was endeavouring to bring to England. 



*f* Ke^xaj, kerkos, a tail, and vrifaxos, pithekos, an ape. Ss^voj, semnos, 

 venerated ; Macaco, a negro word. 



