NATURAL HISTORY. 13 



distinct animals a glance at the skull of each will at once 

 prove. The Chimpansee is a native of Western Africa, and is 

 tolerably common on the banks of the Gambia and in Congo. 



Large bands of these formidable apes congregate together 

 and unite in repelling an invader, which they do with such 

 fury and courage that even the dreaded elephant and lion are 

 driven from their haunts by their united efforts. They live 

 principally on the ground, and, as their name imports, spend 

 much of their time in caves or under rocks. Their height 

 is from four to five feet, but they are said not to reach this 

 growth until nine or ten years of age. 



Several young chimpansees have been recently imported 

 into this country, and have shown themselves very docile 

 and gentle ; but, had they lived, they would probably in a 

 few years have become fierce and obstinate, as apes almost 

 invariably are when they reach their full growth. 



SKULL OF CIIIMPAXSEE. 



THE ORANG-OTJTAN. 



The ORANG-OUTAN inhabits Borneo and Sumatra. In Borneo 

 there . are certainly two species of orarig, called by the natives 

 the Mias-kassar and the Mias-pappan. Some naturalists sup- 

 pose that the Surnatran orang is also a distinct species. 



Tiiis is the largest of all the apes, as it is said that orangs 

 have been obtained from Borneo considerably above five feet 

 in height. The strength of this animal is tremendous ; a 

 female snapped a strong spear asunder after having received 

 many severe wounds. Its arms are of extraordinary length, 

 the hands reaching the ground when it stands erect. This 

 length of arm is admirably adapted for climbing trees, on 

 which it principally resides. Mr. Brooke, the Rajah of Sara- 

 wak, gives the following account of the orangs of Borneo. 

 \ here appears also to be a third species, the Mias-rombi : 



