in Zoology, the general English name of a very numerous race of animals, the natural history of which is given at large under the article SIMIA; comprehending Apes, properly so called, or such as want tails; and Monkeys and Baboons, or such as have tails, the former long, and the other short, ones. See SIMIA.

See APE, a name given by Steller to a marine animal which he saw on the coast of America, and is thus described. "The head appeared like that of a dog, Hist. of Camtschatc with sharp and upright ears, large eyes, and with both lips bearded: the body round and conoid; the thickest part near the head; the tail forked; the upper lobe the longest: the body covered with thick hair, gray on the back, reddish on the belly. It seemed destitute of feet. It was extremely wanton, and played a multitude of monkey tricks. It sometimes swam on one side, sometimes on the other side of the ship, and gazed at it with great admiration. It made so near an approach to the vessel, as almost to be touched with a pole; but if anybody moved, it instantly retired. It would often stand erect for a considerable space, with one third of its body above water; then dart beneath the ship, and appear on the other side; and repeat the same thirty times together. It would frequently arise with a sea plant, not unlike the bottle gourd, toss it up, and catch it in its mouth, playing with it numberless fantastic tricks.