The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1878-08-22
SCIENCE
OUR SiMiAN VISITORS.

The New York Aquarium now pos
seSses the most extensive collection
of anthropoid apes ever brought to
this country, and one which. as IA
subject of study is of the highest
interest to AL naturalists. The
animals number FIVE champanZees and
one OIL ngoutang. One Of the former
is the survivor OF the pair imported
some months ago; the others we've
brought over together. and have been
on exhibition for some weeks. Al
are apparently strong and healthy.
and as the atmosphere in this city is
dry and unlike the vapor laden air OF
England and Northern Europe, which
has proved SO destructive to the eX-
ceedlngly delicate and sensitive lungs
of these creatures, it may be reasona
bly, hoped that they can be maintained
for a sufficient period to admit OF II
thorough investigation of their
natural growth and development
being m ,de.
The Oldest champanZee isabout half
grown, and his age is probably seven
or eight years. In common with the
others he is covered with. long
straight black hair, thick on the head
and back. but sparse over the front OF
the body. On the arms the arrange
ment of the hair is precisely the same
rs in the man. that is, the hair from
the shoulder to the elbow points
downwards, while that between hand
and elbow points upwards. The
meeting is at the elbow. where there
is pendent tuft. Why the hair is
thus placed on man and on the larger
apes it is difficult to conjecture. DR..
Wood suggests that ''if the log hairs
were to hang along the arm and wrist.
they would get into the hand and in
terfere with the grasp, while by their
reverted growth such an embarrass-
ment is removed The nOstrils are
mere holes in the face. any semblance
of nose being absent; and the muZ.
zle projects, giving the face pecu-
liarly british expression. Generally
| the chimpanZee is of affectionate and
amiable disposition, especially when
| it has been reared in captivity. and it
has been supposed that this Inildness
may he characteristic of the species.
| The old specimen at the Aquarium,
however. apparently negative this.
: he is exceedingly savage. On the
keeper entering his cage he pounds
| the floor aitb his powerful arms and
legs. and If the man is unwary, the
animal strikes at him and attempts 20
seize him by the throat. When irri-
tated or whipped. it covers into the
corner of its den and protrndes its
| lips. making kind Of short granting
howl. and then suddenly leaps at the
aggressor, pounding the floor with as
| tonishlng rapidity. When quiet the
creature lies IaziIy on its back, appar-
entiy taking no interest in its sur
| roundings. When food i offered, it
starts up and performs kind of
dance on all fvurs, and finally snatch
es at the object. This dance it some
times repeats, although for no visible
feason. accompanying itself with a
kind of quick howl.
The -four smaller chimpanzees. rang
| ing from Tour To two years of age.
each exhibit their human like pecn-
liarities. in much greater degree than
the older animal If placed erect, the
| largest measures about 2l-2 feet.
though the stature seems to be small
er owing tn the tliick-set bnile. They
are playful, and manifest their emo
lions in uninistskabie manner. DIR.
Dorner. the z.,oIogist of the Aqnari-
nm. states that when three Of them
we're liberated from the boxes in
which they were transported. and
placed together in a large cage their
signs of delight nj meeting were most
remarkable. They rushed together
and embraced esci Of her. and then. a:
If actuated by common impulse. be