84 



POPULAR OFFICIAL GUIDE. 



ORANG-UTAN. 



lengthy periods will elapse during which it contains neither 

 orang-utans nor chimpanzees. 



The Chimpanzee, (Anthropopiihecus calvus), of equatorial 

 Africa from the west coast to the central lake region, is 

 quite as common in captivity as the orang-utan. Both 

 structurally and mentally this animal is very much like the 

 orang-utan, and for keenness of intellect and susceptibility 

 to training, it is second to none of the animals lower than 

 man. A Chimpanzee is easily recognized by its black hair 

 and large ears. There are two or three species. 



The Gibbon shows off to poor advantage in a cage, but in 

 the tree-tops it is a wonderful creature. It is like a long- 

 armed skeleton clothed with skin and hair, animated by the 

 spirit of an Ariel. In its home in the jungles of Borneo and 

 southeastern Asia, it dwells in hilly forests, and never 

 descends to the earth. When attacked, it flees down-hill, if 

 possible, and it seems actually to fly through the tree-tops. 

 It boldly flings itself forward through space, grasps with its 

 hands the first available branch, swings underneath, feet 

 foremost, and after another flight presently catches with 

 its feet, thus actually making revolutions as it goes. Its 

 progress is so swift and so silent that successful pursuit is 

 impossible to any enemy not provided with wings. 



This animal is naturally very timid, but does not hesitate 

 to expose itself to mortal danger when its young are in 



