280 ANTHEOPOID APES. 



lips, and finally with his teeth. He was fond of 

 biting off the coat-lappets of his visitors. His 

 absnrd gestures, combined with his air of solemnity, 

 excited laughter even in the grave natives. He was 

 oncedrinkingtea,when some one filled the emptymug 

 with water; he emptied it out upon the floor, threw 

 himself on his back, screamed, and struck his breast 

 and belly with his hands. His gait was clumsy and 

 unsteady when he tried to walk upright. When he 

 went on all-fours, he sometimes supported himself 

 on his hands and swung himself forward with his 

 feet. If he lost his balance in walking upright, he 

 fell upon his head, and then went on by turning 

 somersaults. As soon as he was unchained, he went 

 into the house and tried to get a portion of his 

 master's breakfast. In spite of his usual inquisi- 

 tiveness, he was not at all excited by the sight of 

 liis melancholy countenance in the glass. 



The large orang which was in the Berlin Aqua- 

 rium in lb76 was a sullen companion, and looked 

 like an old Bedouin as he crouched down and peered 

 from under the covering which was thrown over 

 him. His keeper could only trust him when he 

 brought him an orange, and if he approached the 

 bars of the cage without food, the ape flew at him, 

 gnashing his teeth. He was sluggish whenever he 

 was not excited by hunger. Then he started from his 

 usually sitting position, and devoured the food which 

 was cautiously passed through the door. If kept wait- 

 ing, he threw himself on his back in a rage. When 

 his hunger was satisfied, he played with the straw, 

 the cord, or with his blanket. When it was neces- 



