Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-12-08
THE GAZETTE.
WEDNESDAY MORNING, DECEMBER s, 1858.
TIE "GORILLA."

TIE GORILLA"
A most remarkable addition SAYS a l. n1on
paper, is about to be madr to the oil jects ofin
,erest at the Crystal PolAce, Sydenham, con-
sisting of perfect and complete preserved
specimen of Gorilla. We may as we'll re.
NV at once to the question, OF, What is
G1rilla?" by stating that it is an animal that
resembles more nearly than any known cres-
ture the members Of the human family; and
there is this extraordinary fact relative to it
that it has been accurately described upon
several occasions before it was even known
to exist with perfect certainty. Some ten
wears since traveller in the interior Of
Western Africa saw native tribe engaged
in worshippipg what appeared to be human
skull set upon a pole. The curiosity OF The
traveller was excited, and with considerable
trouble be obtained possession Of the idol,
and forwarded it to Prof. Owen Tor bis opin.
ion respecting the nature Of the animal OF
witch it had once formed part. Prof. Owen
decided that the creature did not belong to
any of the species OF chimpauzse, or indeed
70 any of the monkey tribe that it was alto
cether unrepresented by any specimen oil
natural history knowo to the scientific worio;
and The learned Professor embodied his
views on the subject 10 q very Interesting
paper. which be read before the biological
Society.
AT ens,b, after extraordinary exertions, an
animal was captured, aud packed IN cask OF
spirits OF wire, duly arrived in this country
a few weeks since, and is !Ound to CORES
pond in the most minute respect with the
description of it by Professor Oaen. The
Gorilla is a native Of Western Airica ano Is
known TO exist, it is said, in very large num-
bers. ia the Gaboon districts, where they are
among tie most formidable animals vi Inc
forest. The present specimen. which has
haan most carefully skiuued and preserved
bv Mr.. Bartlett, the texdermist ~ the Crys-
tai Palace, under the direction Ut Professor
Oven, is rather more than five feet 10 height.
1t is a maie, known to be young by the state of
its teeth, and the condition Of the sutures OF
the skull. The fore legs or arms are u great
length and Of pIodigious strength, sress!y
surprising that Of any human srU; the hihu
legs are comparatively short and ale well
adapted for tree climbing. ln features tbe
animal is very much like q negro. and the
orbits over the eyes are considerably pr.ec'
as is in man, and unlike the monkey, cbin-
panzee or oursDg-outang. they are OF great
strength, and 10 the skull which was INST
sert over to this country the CANNES were
nearly as large and a. strong IS these CT
lion. The hair on the upper part OF the
head of the Gorilla is a reddish brown; u2on
the cheeks, the smooth hair Is OF greyisa
hue; the back is covered with dun or mouse
cololed hair; upon the arm, from the hand to
the elbow, it is black, and grows upwards from
the hand towards the elbow. The chest Is
nearly bare. There were thirteen wounds IN
the body of the animal, and two bullets
were extracted from it. one from wouGd
which Rad been healed over.
The Gorilla had to all appearance died OF
starvation; his body was IN a most emsclated
condition, and his tongue was covered With
tbin white coating, as though caused by ex-
ces,iVe fever 1t lie thought that the wound
Inflicted upon hinl prevented Ii being abie TO
procure tho necessary supplies Of food These
animals are gregarlous; and it sststed by the
natives that they frequently appear 10 consio'
cradle force, sack the villages, carry away
YOU children, and devcur them; and, fur
ther, they have very uglv custom OF attack
log men, and wrencbing # the heads OF these
whom they attack. If one of these creatures
is fired at, or attacked. the whole tribe come
down to the rescue. and to escape from tie
combined assault is impossible. How far these
statements may be correct, there Is at prerent
no means Of Knowing, but it Is very certain,
from the formation of the teeth, aud the great
strength of the animal, that the Gorilla ls
not a vegetarian in bis habits and that be
would have no scruple i'll devouring any fish
that might chance to come 10 bis way. MIR.
Bartlett has represented the animal Us seated
upon the trunk Of tree. IL will remain
few DAYS o, the palace, by permission OF the
trustees Of the British Museum, whose pro-
perry it is, and where it is destined to DC
placed. Professor Owen will deliver to the
Geological Society lecture upon this mos1
interesting specimen.