course, other differences. The likeness is especially strong in the young animal.
An interesting contribution to the facts bearing on the subject of structural resemblances was the finding of a fossil form more man-like than any previously discovered. In 1894, there was found in the island of Java remains of a fossil ape (Pithecanthropus erectus), which, from the capacity and form of the cranium and the anatomy of the long bone of the leg, occupies a position intermediate between man and living apes. The doctrine of evolution does not teach that any existing ape is in the direct line of man's ancestry, but that the simian line and the human line are united in remote generalized ancestors common to both groups. The existing apes are, therefore, side branches, as it were, of the ancestral tree and not in the direct royal line. The apes are progressing in their habits; some of them build rude shelter, use clubs and stones in defense, etc., but a popular misconception should be corrected—their progress is not directly toward humanity, but toward a more perfect simianity. Apes live mainly on vegetable food. They are as large as, or larger than, man; all can walk as man does, though more at home in climbing. They have no tail and no cheek pouches, have great strength and intelligence. They are by nature very savage, and are among the most dangerous of wild animals. See Chimpanzee, Orang-Outang, Gorilla.
Apelles (ä-pĕl′ēz), a Greek painter, who lived probably between 352 and 308 B. C. We do not know when or where he was born, nor when or where he died, and not one of his pictures remains, yet his name stands for the highest excellence in painting. He painted portraits of Philip and Alexander, who would sit to no other painter. His most famous picture was Venus Rising from the Sea. One of his paintings, representing Alexander holding a thunderbolt, was sold for a sum equal to $200,000. When he had finished a picture, he used to place it in a public place and hide behind it, to hear what was said. Once he overheard a passing shoemaker say that a slipper on the foot of a figure had not ties enough. Apelles corrected the mistake. The next day the shoemaker began to find fault with a leg, when Apelles, putting out his head, desired him to confine his criticism to the slipper.
Ap′ermines, a chain of mountains in Italy, running the whole length of the peninsula, from the Maritime Alps to the Straits of Messina, a distance of 800 miles. Its average height is about 4,200 feet; its highest peak, Monte Corno, is 9,542 feet. Between the main range and the Mediterranean extends a chain called the Sub-Apennines, which include the group of volcanoes of which, Mt. Vesuvius is the center.
Apet′alous Flowers. The phrase literally means "flowers without petals," but it is somewhat arbitrarily applied. In a complete flower there are two distinguishable floral envelopes—calyx and corolla. In case there is only one floral envelop, it is assumed that the corolla (petals) is missing, and the flower is said to be apetalous. The apetalous condition may be a primitive one, or it may have been derived by reduction from forms which had petals. Apetalous flowers are most common in what are regarded as the more primitive families of Angiosperms. The noun form of the word is apetaly.
Aphides (ăf′ĭ-dēz), small insects very injurious to plants and commonly called plant-lice. The number of species is very large, and they live on a great variety of plants. They are usually greenish in color, with short bodies and long slender legs. Their mouth parts are formed into a short stylet, through which they suck the juices of plants. They prey practically upon all cultivated plants, and increase so rapidly that were it not for their numerous enemies plant life would almost be destroyed. The grapevine phylloxera is very destructive to vineyards; a great pest is the root-louse of the apple, mistakenly called the American blight; another great pest the hop plant louse; and others, the aphides of the cabbage, potato, bean, apple, pear, etc., have carried wide destruction. They are produced in large numbers, and have natural enemies, like the larvae of the lady-bird. Tobacco and a strong solution of soap and kerosene emulsion are used in combating them.
Many forms of aphide produce a sweet liquid, called honey-dew, of which ants are very fond. Ants are known to keep herds of them as "milch cows" in captivity, protecting them from their enemies and stroking them with their antennae in order to make them give up the honey-dew.
Aphrodite (af-rō-dī′tē), the Greek goddess of love, the counterpart of Venus in Roman mythology. Both, probably, are of Asiatic origin; though it is to the Greeks that we owe the pretty story of her birth from the sea foam and of her subsequently becoming the wife of Hephæstos and the mother of Cupid. By another account, Aphrodite is said to be the daughter of Jupiter and Dione. Beautiful herself, she was endowed with the power of conferring beauty; and as the queen of beauty she was awarded the golden apple of Paris.
A′piary, a house or structure for keeping bees, from the Latin apis, a bee. Differences of opinion exist as to the best form hives should take and of what material they should be constructed. Among old-country bee-keepers, the old dome-shaped straw skep is still preferred; others prefer a box-like wooden hive, consisting of a breeding-chamber below and two sliding
