Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1859-03-26
The New Man Monkey,

discovered animal of Central America,
which bears the nearest resemblance to man
of any one of the monkey tribe that has
hitherto been discovered, not excepting the
Chimpau1cc. The first traces of this crc;,-
turc were made known in lS4T, and from
the bones and sketches of it which ProfrS-
sor Owen received from missionaries, he in.
fcrrcd that the Gorilla was one of the most
highly developed species of the monkey
group In august last, a specimen Of the
Gorilla, preserved in spirits, was received
at the British Museum, and well.cXccu-
ted drawing of it by Mr. Wolfe, was cx-
hbitcd. Professor Owen first pointed out
the anatomical characteristics of the Goril-
la, which distinguish it from other species
of monkeys, and he afterwards mentioned
such particulars of its habits as he had col.
lcctcd from those who had visited that part
of Atrca where it is found. The points in
which it approaches nearer to man than
amy other quadrumouS animal are the Shor-
ter particularly the shortncss of the
humcruS compared with the forearm, long
cr development of the Srcat toe, project
ing nose bone, and the arrangement of the
bones of the feet 10 enable the creature to
stand more erect The drawing of the Go
rilla from the specimen in the British Mu-
scum, though only two thirds crown, rep
resented most formidable animal, and
compared with the skeleton of the full
grown specimen, the skeleton OF man seem
ed very slim and delicate Not only are
the bones and MusvlcS calculated to give
strength, but the large capacity fthc chest
indicated the powerful energy with which
they were stimulated. The part of Africa
where the Gorilla is found lies from the
equator to 20 degrees South, OH the West
crn portion, in Il hilly country, abounding
in palm trees and luNuriant ycgctation.-
Its food consists of fruit and vegetables,
and It's habitation is the woods, where ii
constructs nests of the ntcrtwincd boughS,
pcrchcd at heights varying from twelve to
fifteen feet. 1t avoids the presence of nc
grocs and is but seldom seen; they call it
"thc stupid old man The want of in
tolligcncc that has induced the negroes 30
give it ihat namc is shown by its carrying
away fruits and sugar-cancS singly, instead
Of tying them together, and carrying of
Scycral at the same time. 1t is in thus re
turning to take away its provcndcr into the
woods piccc-mcal that the negroes take the
opportunity of waiting for and shooting it.
The Gorilla is formidable enemy to en-
counter, and in case the gun miss It's mark
or only MAIN the animal, the negro isquick-
ly ovcrtakcn, and killed, or manglcd by the
canine teeth of the creature. Sometimes
when a negro is passing unawarcs under a
tree. in which a Gorilla is seated, it will
reach down its arms and snatch the man up
by the throat, and hold him till he is st,an-
9lcd The elephant is an object of
its attack, as they both live on the Same
food and, holdngon to high branch with
its hind feet, it will stoop down and strike
the elephant with club. The Gorilla ex-
hibitS II strong attachment to its young, as
an instance of which it was mentioned that
a female and her two young ones, having
boon seen in tree, she snatchcd up ono
and ran with it into the woods, and then
returned to fetch the other. Her retreat
had in the meantime hccn cut off and
when the cum was lcvcllcd at her, as she
held her young one to her breast, She way
ed her arms as if to bcsucch mercy. But
it WAS in vain !; for bullet was sent thro'
her heart, and the young one was wounded
and captured The Gorilla is sometimes
seen walking erect, with It's arms behind It's
neck /; It's usual mode Of progression, how
ever, is ON all toWs Professor Owen men
toned several other points in the habits of
the animal, as well rs in its ostcolugv, to
show its nearer approach to man than 9th
cr animals of the tribe, and he concluded
by alluding to the fossil remains of quadro-
names, to show that the Gorilla, like man,
had not existed till the earth had attained
its present condition.
A NEW SYSTEsI OF ASSURANCE They
have a sort of honesty insurance system in
ENGLAND, which might be introduced into
our country with profit to all concerned A
corporate company is organized who make
it their business to guarantee the integrity
of any clerk which they recommend the
clerk paying premium, and the company
issuing bonds to secure the cmploycragainst
loss. Under this arrangement the compa-
NY keeps strict watch on the clerks pri-
vatc acts in the same manner that an imsu-
rance Inspector looks after combustiblc ma
tcrinl in tic insurance of property. by
this means the employer is relieved of the
duty tracing the private habits and conduct
of the employee, lcayingit to the party who
is, no doubt more thorough in hissuperyis-
ION.
CownIDlNG AFrAln.-A few days since,
as the men were getting paid off, the terri
tory of Uncle Sam was ruthlcssly invaded,
and the rule of the Navy Yard set at def
ancc by female heroine, in the person of
Mrs W a MilnM {. cat fir and fnrt,, ;,