158 FAMILY SIMIAD.E. GIBBONS. 



149. The Gibbons (forming the genus Hylobates) differ from 

 the preceding Apes, chiefly in the slenderness of their form, and 

 in the great length of their arms, which reach nearly to the 

 ankle-joints when the animal is standing erect ; hence they are 

 commonly known as long-armed Apes. The hands and feet are 

 still more adapted for climbing than are those of the Orang ; and 

 the feet, which are very long, have their soles turned so much 

 inwards, as to afford no firm support in the erect posture. They 

 are distributed through Java, Borneo, Sumatra, Malacca, and 

 Siam ; where they tenant the forest branches, among which they 

 display the most astonishing activity. They sweep from branch 

 to branch with arrow-like velocity ; their mode is to suspend 

 themselves by their long arms, and by an energetic muscular 

 movement to launch themselves onwards, aiming at distant 

 branches, which they seize with the most wonderful precision ; 

 and often, without any pause, and almost without any percep- 

 tible effort, they swing themselves forwards in a similar manner 

 to another equally distant branch. The most remarkable known 

 species, in this respect, is the Hylobates agilis, or Agile Gibbon, 

 better known by its native appellation of Ungka-puti ; a living 

 specimen of which was recently exhibited in this country. This 

 animal was about three feet in height ; but the space between 

 the points of the fingers, when the arms were extended, was not 

 less than six feet, or as much as that of a tall Man. When 

 allowed to move freely in a large room, it would clear, without 

 any effort, distances of 18 or 20 feet ; bounding round and 

 round, with no other support, than that which it derived from 

 the projections at which it caught, as it were momentarily, 

 in passing. The ease with which this feat was accom- 

 plished, renders the statement of those who have observed 

 it in its native haunts quite credible, that it can thus clear 

 a space of forty feet at one swing. This animal is further 

 remarkable for a very curious song, or call-note, which is 

 uttered ever and anon during its most active movements, 

 but especially in the morning. It is timid and gentle in 

 its character, and easily becomes attached; but it does not 

 associate much with others of its own species. The Hylobates 



