The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1878-06-13
Our Simian Visitors.

seSses the most extensive collection OF
anthropoid apes ever brought to this
country, and one which, as a subject of
study, is of the highest interest to all
naturalists. The animals number five
chimpanzees and one orang-outang.
One of the former is the survivor of the
pair imported some months ago; the
others were brought over together and
have been on exhibition for some weeks.
All are apparently strong and healthy,
and as the atmosphere in this city is dry
and unlike the vapor-laden air of Eng
land and NortherR Europe, which has
proved SO destructive to the exceeding
ly delicate and sensitive lungs of these
creatures, it may be reasonably hoped
that they can be maintained for suffi-
cient period to admit of thorough in
vestigation of their natural growth and
development being made.
The Oldest chimpanzee is about half
grown, and his age is probably Z or 8
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 arrangement of the hair is
precisely the same as in man, that
is, the hair from the shoulder to the ell
bow points downwards, while that
between hand and elbow points
upwards. The meeting is, at the
elbow, where there is pend
emit tuft. Why the hair is thus placed
on man and on the larger apes it is diff
ficult to conjecture. DR.. Wood suggests
that I" if the long hairs were to hang
along the arm and wrist, they would get
into the hand and interfere with the
grasp, while by their reverted growth
such an embarrassment is removed
The nostrils are mere holes in the face,
any semblance of the nose being absent;
and the muzzle projects, giving the face
a peculiarly british expression. Gen.
orally the chimpanzee is of affeetionate
and amiable disposition, especially when
it has been reared in captivity; and it
has been supposed that his mildness
may be characteristic of the species.
The old specimen at the aquarium, how
ever, apparently negatives this, as he is
exceedingly savage. On the keeper en-
tering his cage he pounds the floor with
his powerful arms and legs, and if the
man is unwary, the animal strikes at
him and attempts to seize him by the
throat. When irritated on whipped, it
covers in the corner of its den and pro-
trudes its lips, making a kind ofsshort
granting howl, and then leaps at the
aggressor, pounding the floor with as
founding rapidity. When quiet the crea-
ture lies lazily on its back, apparently
taking no interest in its surroundings.
When food is offered, it starts up and
performs kind of dance on all tours,
and finally snatehes at the object. This
dance it sometimes repeats, although
| for no visible reason, accompanying it
self with kind of quick howl
The four smaller chimpanzees, rang
ing from A to 2 years of age, each ex
hibit their human-like peculiarities in
much greater degree than the old ami
NAL. If placed erect, the largest meas
ures about % feet, though the stature
seems to be smaller owing to the thick
set build. They are playful, and mani
fest their emotions in unmistabable
manner. DIR. Dorner, the zoologist of
| the Aquarium, states that when three of
them were liberated from the boxes in
which they were transported, and placed
together in large cage, their signs of
delight at meeting were most remarka-
BILE. They rushed together and en-
braced each other, and then, as if actu-
ated by a common impulse, began a
minute inspection of their new quarters.
This done, they met on the floor, and
seemingly communicated Impressions
Suddenly the two males set up an ami
mated howl, the motive apparently being
disapproval of their companion, fe-
male; and then both gave way to the
most excited grief, which was only re-
lieved when the keeper took them in his
arms and quoted them as if they were
babies. 1t required patient and system
attic treatment, our informant states, as
is sometimes necessary with obstinate
children, to get final understanding
in the group. The Youngest of the five,
which, as already remarked, was one of
the original pair imported, is especially
affectionate and wonderfully childlike.
The refusal of the keeper to take her in
his arms ELECTS a crying tit, followed by
a paroxysm, in which the animal
wreathes its arms over its head
and screams with rage, the whole per-
Torrance reminding one of the be-
havior of an over-indulged child when
crossed. Another popularity of the
ehimpanzee is the care it exercises in
eating. Nothing is put in its mouth
that is not critically examined with the
utmost elaboration, and with an owl
like expression of wisdom. There is
never any of that sudden seizure and in
slant examining of food into the cheeks,
after the fashion of the lower orders of
monkeys.
The orang-outang is probably the