SIMIAD^E, 383 



dently with a mischievous intention to astonish the inmates, who huddled 

 together in consternation. The Author of this work has often seen him 

 jump in the same manner as a child ; an action indicative of a firmness of 

 limb adequate, at least, for a semi-erect attitude and terrestrial progression. 

 It was curious to observe how firmly he grasped with his hind feet, which 

 were broad and strong ; and how easily, while thus resting on the back of 

 a chair, or on a perch, he could throw himself completely backward, and 

 raise himself again into his previous position ; a feat indicating great bodily 

 power. This, indeed, the animal evidently possessed ; for its frame was 

 thick-set and broad ; but the abdomen, as in the Orang-outan, was protube- 

 rant. With its keepers it was on the most familiar terms, and would play 

 with them like a child, now running round them, now dodging them, now 

 climbing up, and throwing its arms round their necks. Laughter is said 

 to be peculiar to our race ; and, certainly, if this animal be not an excep- 

 tion to the rule, in none does the face so much display the emotions of 

 pleasure or mirth. It has more than once been observed, with surprise, 

 that, when at play with its attendants, and tickled smartly, the counte- 

 nance of this individual exhibited what most would call a decided laugh ; 

 its eyes twinkled, the angles of the half-open mouth were drawn upward, 

 and the teeth displayed ; while, at the same time, it uttered a chuckling 

 noise, sounding like that of smothered laughter. Still, if the expression of 

 laughter be conceded to the Chimpanzee, it must be restricted to that 

 which is created by agreeable bodily sensations ; by an excitement of the 

 nervous sympathies of the frame, acted on by external causes ; for laugh- 

 ter, from mental emotions, from mirth or pleasure of mind, created by the 

 imagination alone, is peculiar to Man : in this respect he stands isolated. 

 The propensity of the Chimpanzee in question, to put everything into 

 his mouth, was very remarkable. On being presented with a tin rattle, he 

 took no notice of the noise of the instrument, made by shaking it, but at 

 once tried to crush it between his teeth. After carrying it about, he 

 would abandon it, take up something else, leave that, and return to it 

 again. He was, however, always very anxious to obtain what was out of his 

 reach; and which, when obtained and examined, was soon neglected. From 

 the gentleness of his disposition, he was not easily put out of temper ; but 

 when this was the case, as occasionally happened, he evinced his displea- 

 sure by a hoarse guttural sound, and by protruding the lips, at the same 

 time looking intently, and with an expression of anger, at the offender. 

 This expression was rendered more marked by the vivacity of the eyes ; 

 which, though small and deeply set, were quick and piercing : their colour 

 was dark hazel. Mr. Broderip, describing his appearance, says : " His 

 aspect was mild and pensive, but that of a little, withered, old man ; and 

 his large eyes, hairless and wrinkled visage, and man-like ears, sur- 

 mounted by the black hair of his head, rendered the resemblance very 



