MAN AND HIS STRUCTURAL AFFINITIES. 439 



cies readily assumes the erect position when not executing its incompa- 

 rable gymnastic feats, swinging with its arms and leaping from one rope 

 to another in the rooms fitted up for its dwelling in confinement. It 

 walks with the knees bent and the long arms stretched out with the 

 hands hanging down, reminding one of the position of a rope-walker. 

 The gibbon is extremely neat and cleanly with its person, and is not 

 distinguished by any peculiar odor, as are some of the other species of 





Fig. 6. Head' of Gibbon. 



apes. As a prisoner the gibbon eats bread, milk, and fruit. Before 

 drinking, it has been remarked that it tastes the fluid doubtfully with 

 the tip of the tongue, which in the apes, as in man, is the most sensi- 

 tive portion of that organ. Dr. Hermes says that the gibbon is an 

 aristocrat among the man-apes and always on the best behavior. 



I conclude this outline description of the man-apes with the state- 

 ment that the duration of life among them is not accurately known, 

 and probably varies with the different species. The gorilla and chim- 

 panzee probably attain the average age of man. 



The position of science with regard to man and the anthropoid apes 

 is, that in no case can these latter be considered our progenitors or 

 descendants. The physical and mental characteristics are too diverse 

 to admit of such conclusions. The apes have evidently come down an- 

 other line of descent, although the time when both the apes and man 

 may have emerged from a common branch of the tree of animal life may 

 not be so very long past. But, whenever the line of man and that of the 

 anthropoid apes coincided, it is clear that now the tendency must be to 

 diverge more and more. The resemblances between the apes and man, 



