SIMIA, the ape, in natural history, a genus of Mammalia, of the order Pri mates. Generic character: front teeth in each jaw four, near together ; canine teeth solitary, longer than the others, dis tant from the grinders ; grinders obtuse. Animals of this genus are commonly di vided into such as have no tails ; such as have only very abort ones; such as have very long ones ; and, lastly, such as have prehensile tails, with which they can lay hold of any object at pleasure. Theie four classes are called respectively apes, baboons, monkeys, and japajous. In the whole genus there are enumerated by Gmelin sixty-three species, of which we shall notice some of the most important.
S. satyrus, or the orang-outang. This animal is said to grow in its native woods of Africa and India to the height of six feet, and to subsist, like most other spe cies, on fruits. It flies from the haunts of mankind, leads a solitary life, and displays great strength, agility, and swiftness, which render it extremely difficult to be taken. It has been known to attack and destroy negroes wandering at a distance from their habitations, and to carry off women to its wretched habitation, watch ing them with such extraordinary vigi. lance, as scarcely to admit the possibi lity of their escape. Its general resem. blance to the human figure and counte nance, is particularly and mortifyingly strong, yet minute observation and dissection have pointed out almost in numerable differences, the detail of which is here impossible. It is capable of being tamed and domesticated, and many years since, one was exhibited in London, which had been disciplined to sit, and work, and eat like a human be ing, using a knife and fork for the latter purpose. Its disposition was pensive ; its manners were gentle ; and It appear ed to possess, for its keepers, and those to whom it had been long familiarized, a high degree of genuine gratitude and at tachment. For the orang-outang, see Mammalia, Plate XIX. fig. 1.
S. inuus, the Barbary ape, is about four feet in height, and is the species most commonly exhibited in public shows, and is trained to the performance of a great va riety of tricks, calculated to attract popu lar admiration. The discipline it passes
through is often severe, and this species is considered, in its natural state, as being more ferocious, and less sagacious, than several others of the class. See Mamma lia, Plate XIX fig. 2.
8. sphynx, or the great baboon, is be tween three and four feet high, of a grey brown colour, and is particularly muscu lar in the upper part of its body ; its hands and feet have sharp nails, like claws ; but on its thumbs there are nails formed like those on the human fingers. It is an animal incapable of domestication, and has, in no instance, been observed to be divested of great malignity and fierce ness of disposition. The female produ ces only one young one at a birth, which she suckles at her breast, and carries about with her in her arms. Baboons in habit the hottest climates of Africa, and are often seen in very considerable num bers. The plantations of fruits and roots are frequently much injured by their de predations. They are scarcely, in any species, susceptible of attachment. In confinement, they display incessant rest lessness and irritation, and in their form and manners they present a compli cation of ferocity and hideousness. See Mammalia, Plate XIX. fig. 3.
S. hamadryas, or the dog-faced baboon, is very large, and often greater than the common baboon. It is distinguished by a vast quantity of hair, spreading from each side of the bead down the shoulders, and covering the animal to the waist, like a mantle. Its colour is a mixture of grey and brown. It is a ferocious and danger ous animal; is found in the most torrid regions of Africa, and though more rare than the common species, is yet seen oc casionally in large companies. Its gene ral aspect, when in an undisturbed state, is that of profound meditation ; but when molested, its looks indicate the most per turbed and malignant feelings. In con. finement, it is turbulent, untractable, and filthy. The tail of this baboon is nearly as long as its body.