2 APE. 



Of the whole genus, or the monkey tribe In 

 general, it may be observed, that the Baboons are 

 commonly of a ferocious and sullen disposition. 

 The larger Apes are also of a malignant temper, ex- 

 cept the Oran Otan and the Gibbons. The Mon- 

 kies, properly so called, are very various in their 

 dispositions; some of the smaller species are lively, 

 harmless, and entertaining; while others are as 

 remarkable for the mischievous malignity of their 

 temper, and the capricious uncertainty of their 

 manners. 



It may not be improper here to observe, that 

 it is no easy task to determine with exact preci- 

 sion 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 distinctive characters. To this must 

 be added, the mutilations which occasionally oc- 

 cur in the specimens preserved in museums, or 

 exhibited in public, and which, of course, are 

 liable to deceive an inexperienced eye, and even 

 to embarrass the most expert and sagacious natu- 

 ralist. To circumstances like these are owing 

 the figure of the Mantegar, or tufted Ape,, in 

 the first and second editions of Mr. Pennant's 

 History of Quadrupeds. The figures in authors 

 are not always to be trusted : those in the Natural 

 History of the Count de Buffon are, in general, 

 good. Those of Schreber are copied from them, 

 and coloured, seemingly, from description. 



DBl 



