76 



VETrrKlUtATA. 



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2. THE OLD-WORLD MONKEYS: 

 CATARRHINJl. 



The terms Ape and Monkey are loosely applied, in common 

 language, to all or either of the monkey-like species. Ape, how- 

 ever, more properly belongs to those which are destitute of tails, 

 and monkey to those which have them. We now come to the 

 Catarrhine portion of the latter division, embracing the numer- 

 ous species of the Eastern Continent. 



Genus SEMNOPITHECUS.— This term is derived from tin- 

 Greek sannos, venerable, and pitkekos, an ape — one prominent 

 species, the Entellus, being held sacred by the Hindoos. The ani- 

 mals of this genus are confined to Southern Asia and the Asiatic 

 islands. They are marked by cheek-pouches, and callosities on 

 their haunches. The form of their body is slender and elongated : the extremities are also of 

 great length, as in the Gibbon — the hinder ones, however, being the longest. The tails are much 

 longer in the semnopithecs than in any of the ordinary monkeys. Though slender, these possess 

 a very considerable degree of muscular power, and enter as an important constituent into the 

 motions and progression of the animals. When they are at rest, the tails are allowed to hang 

 down perpendicularly, and, from their great length, which considerably exceeds that of thi 

 animal's body, have a very droll effect, which is heightened by the air of imperturbable gravity 

 belonging to the creatures themselves. When they are unemployed, this is their general aspect: 

 they exhibit the very picture of sadness and melancholy, and appear as if perfectly regardless of 

 every thing that passes around them; but when roused or excited, they are capable of the most 

 surprising exertions, and astonish the spectator by a rapidity, variety, and precision of move- 

 ments, which could scarcely be anticipated from creatures apparently so apathetic in mind and. 

 delicate in body. They are in reality far from meriting the name of Slow Monkeys, which some 

 zoologists have given them. Their slowness is exhibited in disposition more than in action, and 

 is an attribute of character rather than of structure. When young, they are readily domesticated; 

 but being less petulant, curious, and restless than the Cercopithecs, Baboons, and some others, they • 



