FOUR-HANDED ANIMALS.

This numerous order of animals is divided into three families: 1.

_Apes_, which are destitute of tails; 2. _Baboons_, having short tails;

3. _Monkeys_, having long tails. The whole group are confined to warm

countries, and none but the latter kinds are met with in America. They

are not found in Europe, except at Gibraltar. Here, among the rocks,

are considerable numbers of apes; and it has been conjectured that they

come hither from the African coast, by means of passages under the

Straits. This idea, however, is groundless. No doubt these animals were

once common in Europe; but they have been gradually extirpated, except

at Gibraltar, where they have made a stand. Its rocks and caverns seem

to have proved as impregnable a garrison to them as to the British.

Illustrative Anecdotes of the Animal Kingdom · 第 28 / 232 题