308 FROM NORTH POLE TO EQUATOR. 



By the anthropoid apes we understand those which in their 

 structure most resemble man, but are externally distinguished from 

 him by the very prominent canine teeth, the relatively long arms 

 and short legs, the structure of the hand, the ischial callosities 

 present in some species, and the hairy covering of the body. They 

 inhabit the tropical countries of Asia and Africa (the former being 

 richer in species), and they are divided into three families, of which 

 one is confined to Africa. Each of these families embraces only a 

 few species, but probably we do not know nearly all of them as 

 yet. 



The structure of the anthropoid apes points to an arboreal life; 

 they are most excellent climbers, though by no means slaves to 

 the tree any more than the langurs, long-tailed monkeys, and 

 macaques. Their movements, however, both among the branches 

 and on the ground, are quite diiferent from those of all other 

 monkeys. In climbing up a tree, particularly a smooth trunk with- 

 out branches, they take the same position as a man would do, but, 

 thanks to their long arms and short legs, they make much more 

 rapid progress than the most expert human climber; and when they 

 have reached the branches they put every gymnast to shame by the 

 variety and security of their movements. With outstretched arms 

 they seize one branch, with the feet they clasp a parallel one, about 

 half their height lower down, and, using the upper branch as a rail, 

 they walk along the lower one so quickly, though without the least 

 sign of effort, that a man walking underneath must exert himself 

 vigorously to keep pace with them. On reaching the end of the 

 branch, they seize any available bough or twig of the next tree and 

 proceed on their way in the same manner, with undiminished speed, 

 yet without hurry. In ascending they seize hold of any branch 

 strong enough to bear their weight, and swing themselves upwards 

 with equal ease whether they are holding the branch with both 

 hands or only with one; in descending, they let themselves hang 

 with both arms and search about for a new foothold. Sometimes 

 they amuse themselves by swinging freely for some minutes; some- 

 times, clasping a branch with arms and feet, they walk, for a 

 change, on its lower surface; in short, they assume every imagin- 



