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NATURAL HISTORY. 



HYLOBATES. (Gr. V^TJ, a wood ; paivu, to traverse.) 



Agilis (Lat. active], the Agile Gibbon, or Oungka 



The AGILE GIBBON is a native of Sumatra. It derives its 

 name of Agile, from the wonderful activity it displays in 

 launching itself through the air from branch to branch. 

 One of these creatures that was exhibited in London some 

 time since, sprang with the greatest ease through distances of 

 twelve and eighteen feet ; and when apples or nuts were 

 thrown to her while in the air, she would catch them with- 

 out discontinuing her course. She kept up a succession of 

 springs, hardly touching the branches in her progress, con- 

 tinually uttering a musical but almost deafening cry. She 

 was very tame and gentle, and would permit herself to be 

 touched or caressed. The height of the Gibbon is about three 

 feet, and the reach of the extended arms about six feet. 

 The young Gibbon is usually of a paler colour than its parent. 

 There are several species of Gibbon, amongst which some 



