A MAX-MOXSTER. 483 



elevated orbitary arch, whence proceeds a second ridge dominating 

 over all the upper part of the skull. The nose is flat, the eye deep- 

 sunken in its orbit, the ear small, the mouth very large. The 

 lips, especially the lower one, are long and veiy extensible. The 

 expression of the face is terrible, reminding one of Coleridge's painful 

 picture of a man-monster ; and especially terrible when the animal 

 raises the shaggy skin, and reveals the enormous fangs which bristle 

 in his jaws. 



His neck is thick, and so short, that the head seems grafted 

 directly upon the shoulders. The latter are of formidable breadth, 

 and his vast chest resounds like a drum when he beats it with his 

 powerful fists, raising himself upright on his feet an action which is 

 with him a sign of mistrust, hatred, and indignation. He has a large 

 expanded belly, like that of the orang and chimpanzee. His skin is 

 of a deep black, naked on the face and on the palm of the hands, but 

 elsewhere clothed with a rough iron-gray or brown-black hair. 



The breast of the male adult is hairless, like that of the female. 

 With the former the hair of the back is worn off, owing to his habit 

 of sleeping on the ground supported against a tree. This peculiarity, 

 according to M. Du Chaillu, is only seen in the female when she has 

 attained an advanced age, in which, case it would seem to be owing 

 to the fact that, having no longer her infants to shelter among the 

 branches, she sleeps in the same fashion as the male. 



The natural walk of the Gorilla is not upon two feet, but upon 

 four paws. In this posture, owing to the length of his arms, his 

 head and chest are much elevated. When he runs, his hind-legs are 

 brought up under the body. The arm and the leg on the same side 

 move simultaneously, which gives the animal a curious and awkward 

 gait. He runs, however, with extreme swiftness. 



Despite the strength of his jaws, despite his enormous canine 

 teeth, the Gorilla is exclusively frugivorous ; but as he stands in need 

 of abundant nourishment, he is compelled to change his quarters 

 incessantly. His habits, therefore, are essentially nomadic. He is 

 not gregarious. M. Du Chaillu affirms that he has never seen but a 



