I THE GIBBONS 41 



rope-dancers are assisted by long poles at fairs. 

 Their progression was not by placing one foot before 

 the other, but by simultaneously using both, as in 

 jumping." Dr. Salomon Mliller also states that 

 the Gibbons progress along the ground by short 

 series of tottering jumps, effected only by the hind 

 limbs, the body being held altogether upright. 



But Mr. Martin (1. c. p. 418), who also speaks 

 from direct observation, says of the Gibbons 

 generally : 



"Pre-eminently qualified for arboreal habits, and display, 

 ing among the branches amazing activity, the Gibbons are 

 not so awkward or embarrassed on a level surface as 'might 

 be imagined. They walk erect, with a waddling or unsteady 

 gait, but at a quick pace ; the equilibrium of the body 

 requiring to be kept up, either by touching the ground with 

 the knuckles, first on one side then on the other, or by up- 

 lifting the arms so as to poise it. As with the Chimpanzee, 

 the whole of the narrow, long sole of the foot is placed upon 

 the ground at once and raised at once, without any elasticity 

 of step." 



After this mass of concurrent and independent 

 testimony, it cannot reasonably be doubted that 

 the Gibbons commonly and habitually assume the 

 erect attitude. 



But level ground is not the place where these 

 animals can display their very remarkable and 

 peculiar locomotive powers, and that prodigious 

 activity which almost tempts one to rank them 

 among flying, rather than among ordinary climbing 

 mammals. 



