WILD ANIMALS IN CAPTIVITY 



size and strength of its teeth and jaws, all tend to prove 

 that not the least doubt can be entertained respecting the 

 danger of its attack. Added to all these physical advan- 

 tages it is said to be gregarious, which is highly probable, 

 as many of the large baboons of Africa are well known to 

 be so, and the nearly-allied chimpanzee is also said to be 

 met with in family groups. 



The assertion by travellers that this last animal and 

 the gorilla are said to defend themselves with sticks and 

 stones appears to require confirmation. We already know 

 that the ourang of Borneo when pursued will ascend the 

 highest trees, and tearing off the branches, or large fruit, 

 shower them down in a terrific manner, exhibiting his rage 

 and strength, doubtless for the purpose of intimidating his 

 pursuers. He does not, however, appear to throw these 

 direct at the object of his displeasure. The African 

 species differs considerably from the ourang of Borneo and 

 Sumatra, and probably may do something more than 

 throw down the branches, etc. It has been ascertained 

 from anatomical examination of dead specimens that these 

 large apes appear, beyond doubt, to approach nearer than 

 any other known mammal in their structure to man. It 

 is desirable, on the other hand, to examine and to point out 

 as clearly and as briefly as possible, in what they appear 

 to differ mostly from man, in order that, by a few character- 

 istics, we may be at once able to distinguish the one from 

 the other, believing that we have in the gorilla the 

 nearest approach, in formation, than any other represent- 

 ative of the brute creation to the human species. It is 

 evident from the contracted form of the hind limbs that 

 the gorilla cannot stand upright; the bent or stooping 

 posture, coupled with a heavy body, renders this animal 

 unable to progress on the ground without the assistance 

 of his front limbs. When walking on a plain surface the 



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