THE CHIMPANZEE 517 



ficiiil clothing, Nature was obliged to protect him against the in- 

 clemencies of the cold nights and the pouring rain. As man 

 advances in age, his mind acquires a greater depth and a wider 

 range. In the ape, on the contrary, signs of a livelier intelli- 

 gence are only exhibited during youth, and as the animal waxes 

 in years, its physiognomy acquires a more brutal expression; 

 its forehead recedes, its jaws project, and instead of expanding 

 to a higher perfection, its mental faculties are evidently clouded 

 by a premature decline. 



Both in Africa and Asia, we find large anthropomorphous apes, 

 but while the chimpanzee and the 

 gorilla exclusively belong to the Afri- 

 can wilds, the uran and the gibbons 

 are confined to the torrid regions of 

 South Asia. 



The Chimpanzee (Simia troglodytes) 

 attains a height of about five feet, but 

 seems much smaller from his stooping 

 attitude. He inhabits the dense forests 



on the west coast of Africa, particularly near the river Gaboon, 

 and as his travels are facilitated by his fatherland not being too 

 far distant from Europe, there is hardly a Zoological Grarden 

 of any note that does not exhibit a chimpanzee among its lions. 

 One of the finest specimens ever seen was kept a few years 

 since in the Jardin des Plantes in Paris, where the mild 

 climate, agreeable diet (he drank his pint of Bordeaux daily), 

 and lively society of the French maintained him in wonderful 

 health and spirits. 



" The last time I saw him" (May, 1854), says an accomplished 

 naturalist,* "he came out to inhale the morning air in the large 

 circular inclosure in front of the monkey palace, which was 

 built for our poor relations by M. Thiers. Here Chim began 

 his day by a leisurely promenade, casting pleased and thankful 

 glances towards the sun, the beautiful sun of early summer. 



*' He had three satellites, Coatimondis, either by chance or to 

 amuse him, and while making all manner of eyes at a young 

 lady, who supplied the Singerie with pastry and cakes, one of 

 the coatimondis came up stealthily behind, and dealt him a 



* Quarterly Eeviow, 1855, p. 22. 



