18 NATURAL HISTORY IN ANECDOTE,

feet and in several other characteristics. It is, however,
similar to the Hoolock in its amenity to kindness and its
affection for its master, when brought under the influence of
kindly treatment. The gibbons have great strength in their lower
limbs, whereby they are enabled to leap surprising distances.
M. Duvaneel said he once saw one of these animals clear
a space of forty feet, from the branch of a tree. Mr. George
Bennet, in his “Wanderings,” describes the action of a
siamang that belonged to him, which having managed to free
himself of his tether, proceeded to embrace the legs of
the Malays whom he came across, until he discovered his
former master, whereupon he climbed into the Malay’s arms
and hugged him with the tenderest affection.

Monkeys. Monkeys differ from the apes we have dealt with in
the important characteristic, among others, of possessing tails.
These vary in length from inches to feet, in some cases being
considerably longer than the body and in others little more
than stumps. They vary also in form, some being completely
covered with hair, and others only partially so; some
apparently useful only as ornaments, others being prehensile,
that is capable of grasp, and giving their owners almost
the advantage of a fifth limb.

The Sacred The Sacred Monkeys (Semnopithecide) in-

Monkeys. clude two genera and a large number of species.
Among these are the species which bear the name of
Hanuman, a Hindoo divinity, and are worshipped in his
honour. The protection these monkeys receive on account
of the superstitions prevalent concerning them, leads to their
large increase in numbers and to many inconveniences
arising therefrom. It is said that if a traveller should be
unfortunate enough to offend one of these animals he is
likely enough to be followed by the whole party howling in
a most hideous and discordant manner, and pelting him
with any missiles upon which they can lay their hands.
There are eighteen species of the Semnopithecus, all of which