Next after the great apes in man-like characters come a few long-armed, tailless apes, known as the GIBBONS. Like the orang-utan, they live in the great tropical forests of Asia, especially the Indian Archipelago; like the latter, they are gentle, affectionate creatures; and they have also a natural affection for man. But it is in mind and temperament, rather than in skeleton, that the links and differences between men and monkeys must be sought. It will be found that these forest apes differ from other animals and from the true monkeys mainly in this- that they are predisposed to be friendly to man and to obey him, and that they have no bias towards mischeif of "monkey tricks". They are thoughtful, well behaved, and sedate.
The SIAMANG, one of the largest of the long-armed, tailless gibbons, lives in the Malay Archipelago. The arms of a specimen only 3 feet high measured 5 feet 6 inches across. This, like all gibbons, makes its way from tree to tree mainly by swinging itself by its arms. But the siamang can walk upright and run. One kept on board ship would walk down the cabin breakfast-table without upsetting the china. The WHITE-HANDED GIBBON is found in Tenasserim, southwest of Burma. This ape has a musical howl, which the whole flock utters in the early morning on the tree-tops. In Northern India, in the hills beyond the Brahmaputra, lives another gibbon, the HULOCK. One of these kept in captivity soon learnt to eat properly at meals, and to drink out of a cup, instead of dipping his fingers in the tea and milk and then sucking on them. The SILVERY GIBBON kept at the Zoological gardens was a most amiable pet, and had all the agility of the other gibbons. It is very seldom seen in this country, being a native of Java, where it is said to show the most astonishing activity among the tall can-groves. One of the first ever brought to England belonged to the great Lord Clive. The AGILE GIBBON is another darker ape of this group.
The list of the man-like apes closes with this group. All the gibbons are highly specialized for tree-climbing and an entirely arboreal life; but it is undeniable that, apart from the modifications necessary for this, such as the abnormal length of the arms, the skeleton closely resembles that of the human being. In their habits, when wild, none of these apes show any remarkable degree o intelligence; but their living is gained in so simple a way, by plucking fruits and leaves, that there is nothing in their surroundings to stimulate thought. they do not need even to think of a time of famine or winter, or to lay up a stock of food for such a season, because they live under the Equator.
