APES. (OMITTED UNDER QUADRUPEds.) Of all animals, these bear the nearest resemblance to the human form. They walk erect on the hinder legs, and use the fore-legs like arms; the paw is divided much in the same manner as human fingers; the feet also bear a near resemblance, except that the toes are longer. There are several species. Those properly called apes, are without tails, have fleshy posteriors, and calves to their legs. Those with short tails are called baboons, and those with long tails, monkeys. There is also a considerable difference in the form of the head and face, some kinds having a long head, like that of a dog; others, a round broad head, and flat nose; there is, however, in all, a general resemblance to the features of a human countenance. The females have paps, and when suckling their offspring, (of which they bring forth but one at a time,) they hold it in the same attitude, and present the breast in the same manner as a human nurse to her infant. Some apes have a pouch on each side of the jaw, in which they secrete whatever they would keep. They commonly live on the tops of trees, and leap from branch to branch with dexterity. They are mischievous and frolicsome, but not sanguinary. The whole tribe discovers a remarkable propensity to imitate whatever they see done by human beings; hence a habit of mimicry, or an impertinent imitation of superiors in dress and habits, is commonly denominated "aping." In idolatrous Egypt, the ape was an object of worship, and continues to be so to the present day, in many parts of India. Maffeus describes a magnificent temple of the ape, little inferior to the Pantheon at Rome. When the Portuguese, in 1554, pillaged Ceylon, they found, in a magnificent temple, a small box full of gold and jewels, with an ape's tooth, which the kings of the country, who worshipped it, were desirous of redeeming, even at an immense price; this however, was very properly prevented by the bishop, who caused the tooth to be burned, and the ashes thrown into the sea. The inhabitants of Goa are no less superstitious; they would not on any account kill either an ape or a serpent, which they believe to be the residences of spirits created by God, to inflict on mankind punishment for their sins. They are mentioned in scripture as among the curiosities of foreign merchandise imported by Solomon, (see 1 Kings x. 22. 2 Chron. ix. 21.) for what purpose it is not easy to conjecture. We may, however, hope that, if for mere curiosity, it was of a laudable kind, and that Solomon sought acquaintance with creatures of various kinds, with a view to investigate and admire the works of the great Creator, who "in wisdom made them all." FINIS. Agate Alabaster...... 512 Date...... 594 ...... 35 Diamond ...... 649 624 Dromedary 86 ... 549 Dog 162 ADAMANT...... 643 Birds, harmless.. 281 | Cypress ....... Algum Almond-tree. Aloes Amber ...... 548 Domestic fowls.. 321 647 Doves 488 EAGLES 645 CALAMUS. 644 Camel 492 Ebony 71 Elephant 383 214 626 177 650 629 Glede 233..Gnat 441 623 Cockle 551 Coney 65 Heath 557 8 Coral 649.Crane.281 Herbaceous plants496 Bear 23..Bee.. 423 Crystal. ..... Beetle ... Behemoth Beryl... Birds of prey. ...... ..... ....... 413 Coriander. 196 Hornet 387 649 Heron 279..Hog 168 |