4 WOLF'S WILD ANIMALS. 



young shoots of which he is fond, or for such fruits as grow near the water. There 

 the Crocodile attempts to seize him, but according to native testimony the Ourang- 

 outang gets upon the reptile," beats it with its hands, tears it, and pulling open its 

 jaws, rips up its throat and soon kills it. Should a Python or Boa-constrictor attack 

 it, the Mias, as it is called in Borneo, seizes the serpent in his hands, bites it and 

 kills it without difficulty. Such are the powerful though usually peaceable animals 

 to whose family the one depicted in the illustration belongs. He is the largest Ape 

 yet discovered, and of all the known species the Gorilla is about the only one that has 

 never been brought alive to Europe in an adult state. The difficulty of , keeping 

 these creatures alive when captured, has been the chief reason why they have not 

 in common with other Apes been inmates of our menageries ; for once deprived of 

 the fruits to which they are accustomed in their native wilds, or exposed to the colder 

 climates of northern lands, they soon droop and die. Should anyone, therefore, be 

 desirous of seeing this unamiable-looking creature enjoying his free life, he must go 

 to the interior of Africa, in those regions where civilization is unknown, and where 

 but few Europeans have ever penetrated. In the pathless tracts of those ancient 

 woods, distant even from the primitive abodes of hardly less savage men, in company 

 with the fierce inmates of the jungle, the Gorilla dwells surrounded by his family. 

 Peacefully they pass the day, seeking the various fruits that in . many a brilliant 

 cluster hang from the lofty trees, paying generally but little attention to what is 

 passing . below them. But if any unusual sound breaks the stillness of the woods, 

 or a strange form be seen approaching their vicinity, then the females bearing their 

 young clinging fast to them, flee away into the still deeper recesses of the forest ; 

 while the father and protector of the small community, swinging himself rapidly 

 from tree to tree, tearing loose the vines that stretch across his passing form, advances 

 towards the object of their fears, and before imitating the rest in their speedy flight, 

 satisfies himself in regard to its presence, and then with many a hideous grimace, 

 and short hoarse call, demands to know in impatient tone, Who comes here ? 



