THE GIBBONS. 17 



and it was only when her young one was on the point of 

 attaming to a place of safety that she rested on one of the 

 topmost branches of a gigantic tree. True to her ruling 

 passion, even in death, she turned for a moment to gaze 

 after her young one, reeled, and fell head foremost to the 

 ground. The sight was so touching that it called forth the 

 sympathy of the whole party. The eagerness of the chase 

 subsided; and so deep an impression did the maternal 

 tenderness and unexpected self-devotion of the poor orang 

 make on the gentleman alluded to, whose heart was indeed 

 formed in 'nature's gentlest mould,' that he expressed the 

 utmost remorse and pity, declaring that he would not go 

 through the same scene again for all the world ; nor did the 

 tragical death of the animal cease to haunt his mind for 

 many weeks, and he never afterwards recurred to it but with 

 feelings of emotion. The preserved skin is now in the 

 Museum of the Zoological Society." 



Gibbons or Iiong The gibbons belong to the genus Hylobates, 

 Armed Apes, of which there are several species. They are 

 characterised by the ability to walk almost erect, hence the 

 name Hylobates. They live in the tops of trees, in large 

 companies and possess marvellous powers of locomotion, 

 swinging themselves from tree to tree with such rapidity as 

 to baffle all pursuit. When on the ground they balance 

 themselves in walking by holding their hands above their 

 heads. The adult gibbon is about three feet in height 

 and has a reach of arms of about six feet. The gibbon is 

 tractable and capable of strong affection towards those who 

 show it kindness. One of the Hoolock species petted by 

 Dr. Burrough, became companionable and would sit at his 

 master's breakfast-table, eat eggs and chicken, and drink tea 

 and coffee with great propriety. Fruit was his favourite 

 food, but insects were especially palatable to him and he 

 was an expert in catching flies. The siamang differs from 

 the other species of long-armed apes in the formation of its 



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