PROFESSOR OWEN'S ACCOUNT. 281 



the author says, " The favourite and most extraordinary subject 

 of our conversation on natural history was the Ingena, an 

 animal like the Orang-outang, but much exceeding it in size, 

 being five feet high, aud four across the shoulders. Its paw was 

 said to be even more disproportioned than its breadth, and one 

 blow of it to be fatal." It is also described as lurking in the 

 bush to destroy passengers, and as building a house in rude 

 imitation of the native huts, and sleeping outside on the roof of 

 it. It was said to feed principally on wild honey, with which 

 the country abounds. 



Although this "Narrative" appeared some years later than 

 the Regne Animal, in which, as we have said, the idea of there 

 being a second species of Ape larger than the Chimpanzee in 

 Western Africa was set aside as groundless, it does not appear 

 to have had the least effect in reviving the exploded notion. 



The various accounts of the habits of the Gorilla, which have 

 been published since the fact of its existence as a distinct 

 species has been demonstrated, have all been derived indirectly 

 from the natives themselves ; and not unnaturally, therefore, they 

 have been received with considerable hesitation and distrust. 



One of the most elaborate of these accounts has been compiled 

 by Professor Owen ; and the picture which it gives of the 

 monster is of the most appalling character. It is represented as 

 leading a solitary life, or consorting only with its partner and 

 young the parents being generally seen sitting on a branch, 

 resting the back against the tree trunk arid perhaps munching their 

 fruits, whilst the young are at play, leaping and swinging from 

 branch to branch, hooting, and uttering harsh cries of boisterous 

 mirth. If the old male be seen alone, he is said to be usually 

 armed with a stout stick, with which he attacks his chief enemy, 

 the elephant, stealing down upon him unawares from the upper 

 parts of the trees, and striking the sensitive proboscis of the huge 

 animal a severe blow with his club ; and thus driving off the 

 startled elephant, trumpeting shrilly with rage and pain. 



In passing along the ground from one detached tree to another, 

 he is said to walk semi-erect with the aid of his club, but with a 

 waddling, awkward gait ; when without a stick, he has been seen 

 to walk as a biped, with his hands clasped across the back of his 

 head, instinctively so counterpoising its forward projection. If 

 the Gorilla be surprised and approached while walking on the 



