PIGMY APE. 29 



fear, this animal was circumspect and deliberate ; and a 

 look was sufficient to awe it into obedience. " I have 

 Been it," says Buffon, " give its hand to show the com- 

 pany to the door. I have observed it sit at table, un- 

 fold its napkin, wipe its lips, make use of the spoon and 

 fork to carry its victuals to its mouth, pour out its drink 

 into a glass, join glasses when invited, take a cup and 

 saucer and place them on the table, put in sugar, pour 

 out tea, and leave it to cool before drinking ; and all this 

 without the slightest intimation from its master, and fre- 

 quently without being required." It was extremely 

 docile and inoffensive, approached strangers with respect, 

 and seemed rather to expect caresses than to be disposed 

 to offer injuries. It was particularly fond of sugared 

 comfits, which every one readily gave it; but this kind of 

 food contributed to shorten its existence. It continued in 

 Paris one summer ; and was then brought to London, where 

 it died. It fed indiscriminately on whatever was presented, 

 but showed a partiality for dry and ripe fruits. Wine in 

 small quantities it did not absolutely reject ; but gladly 

 exchanged it for milk, tea, or any sugared beverage. 



Many of these habits and propensities were, no doubt, 

 the effect of education ; for in a state of nature, the ape is 

 unquestionably a very different animal. It is evident, 

 however, from several trials, that, unlike the human race, 

 it soon arrives at all the imitative perfection which it is 

 capable of reaching, and in none of its actions evinces 

 any thing like MIND. 



PIGMY APE. 



Though the face of this animal strongly resembles the 

 human species, the body is not larger than that of a cat. 

 It lives in societies ; and is a native of Africa, particularly 

 Ethiopia. It seems to have given rise to the ridiculous 

 tales of Pigmies ; who are described as a nation residing 

 near the fountains of the Nile, and annually waging war 

 against the cranes to steal their eggs. Vulgar prejudices 

 long sustained the stones which poets and fanciful philo- 

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