APES. 



Next in importance to the history of the human family 

 stands that of the great apes. In consequence of their 

 near approach, apparently, to man in their physical struc- 

 ture, their resemblance to him has always created a vast 

 amount of interest, of astonishment, and of speculation 

 in the minds of the most intelligent of those persons who 

 have had the opportunity of observing these animals. 

 They are regarded with more or less interest, fear, wonder, 

 and superstition, not only among the most highly 

 civilized of our species, but also among the natives of the 

 countries inhabited by them. 



The difficulty of obtaining reliable information, and the 

 still greater difficulty of obtaining specimens, have hitherto 

 prevented the true history of these strange brutes becom- 

 ing known; notwithstanding this, we are gradually and 

 certainly progressing in our knowledge of them. The 

 travels of Mr. Wallace in Borneo brought to light much 

 respecting the habits of the great Ourang-utang which 

 is found in that country. The papers upon the subject 

 published in the Annals of Natural History are full of 

 interesting information, and the care and trouble with 

 which the knowledge was obtained deserve our warmest 

 admiration. 



With regard to the Gorilla, the subject of the present 

 notice, it is to be regretted that our knowledge concerning 

 the habits and customs of this member of the ape family 



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