SILVERY GIBBON. 



besides their comparative slioilness, are only loosely jointed on the hip-bones. 

 The Orang-outan is destitute of the short, but very strong ligament, that binds 

 the thigh-bone to the hip-joint. This ligament is very powerful in man, and 

 plays an important part in giving him that steady tread, which alone is 

 sufficient to distinguish the human species from the apes. 



But the Orang-outan is intended for an arboreal life, and requires Imibs that can 

 adapt themselves to the boughs. Therefore the legs are so twisted inwards, that 

 the feet can grasp the branches freely, and hold the body in its position, while 

 the long arms are stretched out to take a fresh hold. 



Among the trees the Orang-outan is in its element, and traverses the boughs 

 with an ease and freedom that contrasts strongly with its awkward movements 

 when on the ground. It has a curious habit of making foi' itself a tem])orary 

 resting-place, by weaving together the branches so as to make a rude platform oi- 

 scaffold on which it reposes. The powerful limbs of the animal enable it to execute 

 this task in a very short time. Rajah Brooke of Sarawak narrates an interesting 

 tale of a female Orang-outan, which when severely wounded ceased her attempts to 

 escape, and weaving together a branch-platform, seated herself upon it, and quietly 

 awaited her end. The poor animal received several more shots before she 

 expired, and as she fell dead upon her extemporary edifice, the hunters were put 

 to some trouble before they could dislodge the dead body. The whole pro- 

 cess of weaving the branches and seating herself did not occupy more than a 

 minute. 



SILVERY GIBBON.— J////ol^afe8 Lcuciscns. 



The Gibbon, of which there are several species, are remarkable for the great 

 length of their arms, and the general light strength of the entire structure. They 

 are especially adapted for living upon trees, on which they swing themselves 

 from one branch to another, to a distance of thirty or forty feet. 



The Silvery Gibbon is an inhabitant of the Malaccas, and lives chiefly among 

 the canes and tall plants. Among these animals the Agile Gibbon is the most 

 remarkable for its activity. 



When startled, the Agile Gibbon flits at once to the top of the tree, and then, 

 seizing the branch that seems best adapted to its pm-pose, it swings itself once or 

 twice to gain an impetus, and launches itself through the air like a stone from a 

 sling, gainhig its force very nuich on the same principle. Seizing another branch, 

 towards which it aims itself, and which it reaches with unerring certainty, 



