Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1859-03-25
The New Man-Monkey.

At the London royal ins'itu ion, recent
~, professor Owen delivered lecture TO 4
crowded audience on the Gorilla. the re
Gently discovered animal OF Central Africa
which bars the nearest resemblance to man
OF any one Of the monkey tribe that has
hitherto been discovered, not excepting the
chimpanzee. The first traces OF this crea,
ture we're made known in England in 1917,
aud from the bones and sketches OF It which
professor Owen received from the mission
aries, 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 re-
ceived at the British museum, and well
executed drawing of it, by Mr.. Wolf, was
exhibited. Professor Owen first pointed
out the anatomical characteristics OF the
gorilla, which distinguish it from other spe-
cies OF monkeys, and he afterwards men
toned 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 il approaches near
er 10 man than any other quadrumanouS
ANIMAL are the shorter arm-particularly
the shortness of the humerus compared
with The fore arm, longer development OF
the great toe, "A 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 speci-
men in the British museum, though only
two-thirds grown, represented most Tor
midable animal, and compared with the
skeleton of man seemed very slim and del
icate. 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 Astounding in palm trees and lux1-
RANT vegetation. Its food consists OF fruits
and vegetables, and its habitation is the
woods, where il constructs nests of the in
tertwined boughs, perched al highths vary
ing from IL feet to 80. 1t avoids the pres
ence of the negroes, and is but seldom seen,
but it is known to them as 1.-THE stupid old
man." The want of intelligence that has
induced the negroes to give 1t that name is
shown by its carrying away fruits and su-
gar canes singly, instead of tying them to-
gether and carrying several Oft 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 a for
midable enemy to encounter, and in case
the gun miss its mark, or only MAIN the an
imal, the negro is quickly overtaken and
killed, or dreadfully mangled by the canine
teeth of the creature. Sometimes, when
negro is passing unawares under tree, i'll
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 elephant is an object Of its attack, AS
they both live on the same food, and, hold
ing on to a high branch with its hind feet,
it will stoop down and strike the elephant
with a club. The gorilla exhibits a strong
attachment to its young, as an instance TO
which it was mentioned that a female and
her two young ones having been seen in
tree, she atched up one and rar with it
into the woods, and then returned TO fetch
the other. Her retreat had in the mean
time been cut off, and when the gun was
leveled at her, As she held her young one
to her breast, she waved her arm as il to
beseech for mercy. But it was in vain !;
for 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
tours. Professor Owen mentioned several
other points in the habits of the animal, as
well as in its osteology, to show its nearer
approach to man than other animals OF the
tribe; and he concludes by abiding to the
fossil remains Of qnadrumanes, to show that
the gorilla, like man, had not existed till
the earth had attained It's present condition.