Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1859-01-06

il" VIVA, il a Gorilla T. by stating that
it is an animal that resembles more
nearly than any other known creature
the members Of the human family
ard there is this extraordinary fact
relative to it, that it has been accurate
" described upon several occasions
before it was seen, or was ever known
10 exist with perfect certainty. Some
ten years since. traveller IN the intc-
rior Of Western Africa, saw native
trine engaged in worshipping what
appeared 10 bc human skull set upon
pole. The curiosity OF the traveller
was excited, and with considerable
trouble he obtained possession OF the
idol, aud forwarded it TO Prot. Owen
for his opinion respecting the nature
Of the animal of which it had once
formed part. Prof. Owen decided
that the creature did not belong TO any
Of the species of the chmpanzee, or
indeed to any OF the monkey tribe;
that it was altogether unrepresente
by any specimens OF natural history
known to the scientific world; and
the learned Professor embodied his
views on the subject in very interest
ing paper, which he read before the
geological Society.
At length after extraordinary excr-
tons, an animal was captured, and pack
ei in cask of spirits OF wine, duly
arrived in this country, few weeks
since. and is found TO correspond In the
NEST minute respect with the dcscrlpt-
ION OF 1t bv Prof. Owen. The Gorrilla
is native OF Western Africa, and Is
known to exist, it is said, in very large
numbers in the Gaboop districts, where
they are among the most FORMIDABLE OF
the wild animals OF the forest. The
present specimen, which ha, been most
/ carefully skinned and deserved by
| Mr.. Bartlett, the taxldermist OF the
Crystal Palace, under the direction OF
Professor Owen, is rather more than
i've feet in hight. 1t is male, known
to be young by the state of It's teeth
and the condition OF the sutures OF the
skull. The fore legs or arms are OF
great length and of prodigios strength
greatly surprising that of any human
arm the hind legs are comparatively
short, and arc well adapted for tree
climbing. In features the animal Is
very much ike negro, and the orbits
over the eyes are considerable project
ed. The teeth are formed almost
precisely as in man, and unlike the
monkey, chimpanzce or rang outang
they are of great strength, and in the
skull which was first sent over to this
country, the CANNES were nearly as
large and strong AS those of lion.--
The hair on the upper part OF the heae
of the Gorilla is red lish brown
upon the cheeks, the smooth hair Is o
greyish hue the back is covere
with dun or mouse-colored hair the
hair upon the arm, from the hand tt
the elbow, is black, and grows upwarl
from the hand towards the elbow. Ih'
chest is nearly bare. There were thlr
teen wounds in the body OF the animal
and two bullets were extracted from 1t
one from a wound which had beer
healed over.
The Gorilla had to all appearance
died of starvation his body was in
most emanciated condition, and hi
tongue was covered with thin whit
coating, as though caused by cxcessiv
fever. 1t is thought tina. the woun
inflicted upon him prevented his bein!
able to procure the necessary supple
} of food. These animals are gregarous
| and It is stated by the natives tina
they frequently appear in considerabl
force, sack the villages, carry ava
Young children aud deyour them, an
further, they have very ngly custor
of attacking men,, and wrenching O
: the heads of those whom them attach
F., If one of these creatures is fired at, 0
t attacked, the whole Tribe comes dow
to the rescue, and escape from the
!. combined assault is impossible. HOY
! far these statements may be correc
there is at present no means OF know
4 ing but it is very certain from tn
t formation of the teeth, and the gres
r strength of the animal, that the Gorrill
/ is rot vegetarian in his habits, All
: that he would have no scruple in d.
vouriug any flesh that might chanC
to come in his wav.-L9ndoa Pope