ANIMALS. 



437 



which he supposes the monkey which he calls the bonet chinoiis 

 to be a variety. The one is remarkable for a long tail, and long 

 beard ; the other i'or a cap of hair that covers the crown of the 

 head, from whence it takes the name. Both are natives of the 

 East Indies ; and the Bramins, who extend their charity to all 

 the brute creation, have hospitals for such of them as happen to 

 be sick, or otherwise disabled. 



the posterior, the latter proceeding with the greater rapidity. Tliis obliges 

 him to carry the hinder parts sometimes to the right, and sometimes to the 

 left, when he intends a slow motion, and to shoot forward by jumps when 

 he is desirous to run. Tliis conformation, so unfavourable for animals design- 

 ed to live on the earth, is peculiarly advantageous for such as are sustained 

 on fruits. The disproportioned length of the hinder limbs in comparison of 

 the fore, is no impediment to climbing, but imparts on the contrary a wonder- 

 ful degree of agility in shooting from branch to branch, and even from tree 

 to tree. Accordingly, we find that these monkeys rarely descend to the 

 earth. Assembled in troops, they dwell for the most part in those capacious 

 canopies of verdant foliage which cover the rich forests of Southern Asia, 

 fellow-citizens with the birds, exposed to no danger but from the larger of 

 the serpent tribe, or the more insatiable rapacity of man. In these lofty 

 retreats they are found in such niunbers, as to annoy the traveller, as well 

 by the petulance of their motions as the incessant iteration of their cries. 

 Several specimens have been seen in Europe, of both sexes and of every age. 

 There are no animals who can surpass them in agility. In confinement they 

 are accustomed to shoot forward with such sustained vigour as to make 

 several turnings in their course, as if flying, sustained in the air only by the 

 impulse which they may receive from striking the walls of the cage. Tlie 

 Malbrouks seldom suflFer theii- voices to be heard, and never but in a shrill 

 and feeble cry, or rather in a dull sort of grunting noise. The males, in 

 their youth, are sufficiently docile, but as soon as they arrive at adult age 

 they become excessively malicious, even towards the persons intrusted with 

 their care. The females remain more gentle, and alone appear susceptible 

 of attachment. Circumspection forms a very peculiar trait in the character 

 of the Malbrouk. He is nevertheless exceedingly irritable, but still, though 

 BuVyect to the most violent excitements from his ruling passions, he calcu- 

 lates all his movements with peculiar care, and executes them with sur- 

 passing dexterity. Wlien he attacks, it is always from behind, and when 

 the object of his resentment is unaware of his intention. He then precipi. 

 tates himself upon him, wounds him with his teeth or nails, shoots away 

 rapidly from wthin liis reach, without however losing sight of him, and 

 that as well for the purpose of seizing a favourable opportmuty of renewing 

 the attack, as to shelter lumself from the vengeance of the adversary. This 

 extreme irritability prevents the Malbrouk from ever being completely 

 tamed, or brought to submit with patience to restraint. He is susceptible 

 of no other education than that of nature. The moment he is treated with 

 violence, the moment it is endeavoured to compel liirn to obedience, liis 

 petulence is at an end ; he becomes melancholy and silent, and speedily ex. 

 piles. 



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