40 THE WONDERS OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM. 



many respects, be considered as one of its greatest curiosities. The animal appears almost in a 

 domesticated state; and amongst the other propensities of those by whom it is surrounded, it 

 has acquired that of drinking its pint or glass of porter with apparently the same satisfaction as 

 any of the most inveterate porter-drinkers of the metropolis ; nor does this beverage appear to be 

 injurious to its constitution, for it exhibits rather an uncommon degree of health and spirits. The 

 Mormon may be considered as the most remarkable of the whole genus for brilliancy and variety 

 of colour. The general tinge is a rich and very deep yellowish brown ; the hairs, if minutely 

 inspected, are speckled with yellow and black. The most prominent and remarkable part of the 

 animal, however, is the nose, the whole length of which is a deep blood red, but the parts on each 

 side are of a fine violet blue, marked by several oblique furrows, the whole forming one of the 

 most singular contrasts which the visage of any animal can display. The remainder of the face 

 is of a pale whitish yellow. On the top of the front the hair rises in a remarkable manner into a 

 pointed form, somewhat similar to the toupee worn by the elegantes in former times, and beneath 

 the chin is a pointed beard of a light orange yellow. Round the back of the neck the hair is 

 much longer than on an)' other parts, and inclines downwards and forwards somewhat in the manner 

 of a wreath or tippet. The hands and feet are of a dusky colour, and are furnished with broad 

 pointed claws. The general form of the face is long, with the snout ending somewhat abruptly. 



Of the general manners of the animal, it appears to possess all the native vices of its genus. Its 

 lasciviousness is apparent in a most striking degree, and forms one of the most unpleasant drawbacks 

 in the contemplation of the animal. It has been often remarked that the larger species of ape 

 appear to entertain a decided knowledge of the difference of the human sexes, and that the natural 

 ferocity of the animal has been suddenly checked by the view of a female ; but it must be confessed 

 that the cage of the Mormon is not a place before which a female can stand without a wound being 

 inflicted on her modesty. 



Of the whole genus it may be observed, that the Baboons are commonly of a ferocious and sullen 

 disposition. The larger apes are also of a malignant temper, except the Ourang-outang and the 

 Gibbons. The Monkies, so called, are extremely various in their disposition ; some of the smaller 

 species are lively, harmless, and entertaining, while others are remarkable for the mischievous 

 malignity of their temper, and the capricious uncertainty of their manners. It is no easy task to 

 determine with exact precision the several species of this extensive genus, since, exclusive of the 

 varieties in point of colour, they are often so nearly allied as to make it difficult to give real and 

 distinctive characters. 



The Moruion is not frequently an inhabitant of our menageries, for, being a native of the interior 

 parts of Africa, it is seldom caught in its adult state; and the rearing and transportation of it when 

 youn<r have always been considered a task of some difficulty. At its full growth, the animal, in an 

 upright posture, measures about five feet ; but its usual posture is on its haunches, when its mea- 

 surement is about three feet. The structure of the hands and the feet, when observed with 

 anatomical correctness, seems to prove that the animal was principally designed by Nature for 

 walking on four legs, as it is represented in the engraving, and not for an upright posture, which 

 is, perhaps, only occasionally assumed, and wliich is considered to be more the effect of instruction 

 than a decided habit of nature. 



