The Kanzas news., 1859-04-30
The New Man Monkey.

At the London Royal Institution, Profes-
sor Owen. recently delivered lecture TO q
crowded audience, on the Gorilla. the recent
| ly discovered animslof Central Africa. which
bears the nearest resemblance to man of any
one of the monkey tribe that has hitherto
been discovered, not excepting the chin
panzee. The first traces Of this creature
were known in 1847, and from the bones
and the sketches of it which Professor Ow-
en- received from missionaries he inferred that
the Gorilla was one of the most highly de-
yeloped species of the monkey group. In
August last, specimen of the Gorilla, pre-
served in spirits. was received at the Brit
ish Museum and a well executed drawing
of it, by Mr.. Wolfe, was exhibited. Pro
fessor Owen first pointed out the anatomi
cal characteristics of the Gorilla, which dis
tinguish it from other species of monkeys,
and he afterwards mentioned such particu-
lars 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
particularly the shortness of the humer-
Gus compared with the forearm, q longer
development of the great toe, projecting
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 spec
linen in the British Museum, though only
two-thirds grown, represented most form
liable animal, and. compared with the fun
grown specimen, the skeleton of man seem
ed 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 90 deg. south on the western
portion, in hilly country, abounding IN
palm trees and luxuriant vegetation. It's
food consists of fruits and vegetables, and
its habitation is the woods, where it con-
structs nests of the intertwined boughs
perched at heights varying from twelve to
6fty feet 1t avoids The presence of negroes,
and is but seldom seen; but it is known to
them as the stupid old man. The want of
intelligence that has induced 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 sever
al away at the same time. It is in thus re-
turning to take away its provender into the
woods piecemeal, that the negroes take the
opportunity VI waiting IOF duu SHOOtlDR IT,
The Gorilla is a formidable enemy to encoun-
ter. and in case the gun miss its mark. or
only MAIN the animal the negro is quickly
overtaken and killed or dreadfully mangled
by the canine teeth Of the creature. ETs5
Sometimes wheA negro is passing una
wares under tree, in which 6orilla is
seated. it will reach down its asm and snatch
the man I'D by the throat and hold him till
he is strangled. The elephant is an object
of its attack, as they both live on the same
food. and, holding on to high branch with
its hind feet, it will stoop down and strike
the elephant with club. The Gorilla ex-
hibits strong attachment to its young, as
an instance of which it wss mentioned, that
female and her two young ones having
been seen in tice, snatched up one and ran
with it into the woods, and then returned
to fetch the other. Her retreat had, in the
meantime been cut of, and when the gun
was leveled at her, as she held her
young one to her breast, she waved
her arm as if to beseech mercy. But
it was IN vain, for 8 bullet was sent
through her heart. and the young one was
wounded and captured. The Gorilla was
sometimes seen walking erect, with its arms
behind its neck; its usual mode of progress
sion, however on all fours. Professor Ow-
en- mentioned several other points in the
habits of the animal, as well as IN its oste-
oIogy, to show its nearer approach TO man
than any other animals of the tribe; and he
concluded by alluding to the fossil remains
of quadrumanes, to show that the Gorilla.
like man, had not existed till :he earth had
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