. The popular natural history . Zoology. THE SIMPAI. 9 The chief distinction which strikes the eye is the presence of a tail, whrch is of some length, and in several species, among which we may mention the SlMPAl itself, is extremely long and slender in proportion to the body. The arms of these animals are not of that inordinate length which is seen in the limbs of the apes, but are delicate and well proportioned. The hinder paws, or hands, are extremely slender, their thumbs being short, and, as will be seen by reference to the engraving, are twice the length of the fore-paws. Some of these m
. The popular natural history . Zoology. THE SIMPAI. 9 The chief distinction which strikes the eye is the presence of a tail, whrch is of some length, and in several species, among which we may mention the SlMPAl itself, is extremely long and slender in proportion to the body. The arms of these animals are not of that inordinate length which is seen in the limbs of the apes, but are delicate and well proportioned. The hinder paws, or hands, are extremely slender, their thumbs being short, and, as will be seen by reference to the engraving, are twice the length of the fore-paws. Some of these monkeys are furnished with small cheek-pouches, while others appear to be destitute of these natural pockets. The callosities of the hinder quarters are well shown. In this group of the Quadrumana, the characteristics of the apes disap- pear, and the animals betray more clearly their quadrupedal nature. Very seldom do they assume the erect attitude, preferring to run on all fours like a dog, that being their legitimate mode of progression. Even when they do stand on their hind feet, the long tail at once deprives them of that grotesque semblance of the human form, which is so painfully exhibited in the tail-less. THE SIMPAI.—(Presl/ytes melalophos.') apes. Besides these external distinctions, there are many remarkable peculiari- ties in the anatomy of the internal organs, which also serve to settle the position of the animal in the order of nature. Among these internal organs, the stomach displays the most remarkable construction, being very large, and divided into compartments that bear some resemblance to those in the stomach of ruminating animals. These monkeys are distributed through several parts of the world, the Simpai making its residence in Sumatra. This is a beautiful little animal, and is pleasing both for elegance of shape and the contrasting tints with which its fur is decorated. The prevailing colour of the body is a light-chestnut, with a perceptible golden ting
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1884
