Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-03-10
0NOrtestrr Daily Spg.
THE NEW MAN-M0NKEy

AT the London Royal Institution, recently
Professor Owen delivered lecture to a crowd
ed audience on the Gorilla the recently-dis
covered animal of Central Africa. which bears
the nearest resemblance to man of anv one of
the monkey tribe that has hitherto been dis
covered, not excepting the chimpanzee. The
nrst traces OF this creature were made known
IN England IN 1877, and from the bones and
the sketches of it which Professor Owen re-
ceived from missionaries, he inferred that the
Gorilla was one of the most highly developed
species OF the monkey group. In August last
specimen Of the Gorilla, preserved in spirits,
was received at the British Museum, and well
executed drawing of it, by Mr.. Wolff, was ex-
hlbited. Professor Owen first pointed out the
anatomical characteristics of the Gorilla. which
distinguished from other species of monkeys,
and he afterwards mentioned such particulars
of its habits as he has collected from those who
have visited that part Of Africa where it is
found.
The points in which it approaches nearer to
man than any other quadrumanous animal, are
the shorter arm-partculary the shortness of
the humerus compared with the forearm, a
longer development of the great toe, project
ing nose bone, and the arrangement of the
bones of the feet to enable the creature to stand
more erect, The drawing of the Gorilla from
the specimen in the British Museum though
only two thirds grown, represented most for
midable animal, and, compared with the skele-
ton OF the full grown specimen the skeleton of
man seemed very slim and delicate. Not only
are the bones and muscles calculated to give
great strength, but the large capacity of the
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 on
the Western portion, in a billy country, abound
ing in palm trees and luxuriant vegetation
Its food consists of fruit and vegetables and
its habitation is the woods, where it constructs
nests of the intertwined boughs, perched at
heights varying from y feet to so. 1t avoids
the presence Of the negroes, and is seldom seen
but it is known to them as "the stupid old
man." The want of intelligence that has in
duced the negroes to give it that name, is
shown by its carrying away fruits and sugar
canes singly, instead of tying them together
and carrying several off at the same time 1t
is in thus returning to take away its provender
into the woods piecemeal, that the negroes take
the opportunity of waiting for and shooting it.
The Gorilla is formidable enemy to encoun-
ter, and, in case the gun miss its mark, or only
MAIN the animal, the negro isqucky overta-
ken and killed, or dreadfully mangled bv the
canine teeth of the creature Sometimes,
when negro is passing, unawares, undera tree
In which Gorilla is seated, it will reach down
its arm and snatch the man up by the throat,
and hold him till he is strangled The ele-
phant is an object Of its attack, as they both
live on the same food, and, holding on to a
high branch with its hind feet, it will stoop
down and strike the elephant with club
The Gorilla exhibits a strong attachment to its
young, as an instance of which, it was mention
ed, that female and her two young ones hav-
ing been seen in a tree, she snatched up one
and ran with it into the woods, and then re-
turned to fetch the other. Her retreat had in
In the meantime, beeen cut off, and when the
gun was levelled at her, as she held her young
one to her breast, she waved her arm as if to
beseech for mercy. But it was in vain for a
bullet was sent through her heart, and the
young one was wounded and captured The
Gorilla is sometimes seen walking erect with
its arms behind its neck; its usual mode of
progression, however, is on all-fours. Protes-
sor Owen mentioned several other points in
the habits of the animal, as well as in its este
ology, to show its nearer approach to man than
other animals of the tribe; and he concluded
by abiding to the fossil remains of quadru-
names, to show that the Gorilla, like man, had
not existed till the earth had attained its pres
ent condition.