76 MAMMALIA—GIBBON. 
Of the many attempts to transport the orang outang alive so Europe, we 
believe only one or two have been successful. In 1825, one was brought to 
Boston, from Batavia, by Captain Blanchard, but unfortunately it died in 
the harbor before landing. Captain Shirley, who arrived there from Batavia, 
in June, 1831, was more fortunate. He brought a young orang outang, 
which is now in good health, and has every prospect of enduring the 
climate. Ic isa female of about three years old, and was procured origi- 
nally in Borneo. The interest excited in respect to this animal, as well by 
its own extraordinary characteristics, as by the variety of accounts that 
authors have given of it, has induced us to examine it with some care. We 
have also caused a correct likeness to be taken, which is the one at the 
head of the present article. 
In comparing this animal with the preceding description, by Dr Abel, 
we find it remarkably accurate and complete. We observe that the thumb 
of the hinder hand has no nail, and it seems that in nine cases mentioned 
by Dr Abel, the same fact existed. Two instances to the contrary, how- 
ever, are cited; one by Tilesius, the other by Cuvier. We also remarked 
that the thumb is placed nearly at right angles to the hand, inclining a little 
toward the wrist. 
THE GIBBON, OR LONG-ARMED APE} 
A.tways keeps in an erect posture, even when it walks upon all fours; its 
arms being as long as its body and legs put together. We have seen one of 
these animals alive. It had no appearance of any tail; it had a circle of 
gray, bushy hair, all round the face, which gave it a very remarkable appear- 
ance. Its eyes were large, and sunk in its head; its face resembling that of 
a man, tanned, and its ears well proportioned. This ape appeared to us to 
be of a gentle and tractable disposition ; its motions were neither rash nor 
precipitate. It was fed on bread, fruit, almonds, &c., and calmly received 
1 Pithecus lar. The gibbons, of which there are several, have the long arms of the orang, 
the low forehead of the chimpansé, and 2allosities on the buttocks. They have no tail or 
cheek pouch. 
