N.B.—The photograph of dolphins onpage vwas inadvertently attributed to Mr. F. G. Aflalo. The name of the photographer should have been Mr. T. Limberg, who kindly gave permission for his capital snap-shot to be reproduced in these pages.
PEKIN DEER IN SUMMER DRESS.Photo by the Duchess of Bedford][Woburn.PEKIN DEER IN SUMMER DRESS.An example of the white-spotted type of coloration so common among herbivorous mammals.
Photo by the Duchess of Bedford][Woburn.PEKIN DEER IN SUMMER DRESS.An example of the white-spotted type of coloration so common among herbivorous mammals.
Photo by the Duchess of Bedford][Woburn.
PEKIN DEER IN SUMMER DRESS.
An example of the white-spotted type of coloration so common among herbivorous mammals.
NEGRO BOY AND APES.By permission of Herr Carl Hagenbeck][Hamburg.NEGRO BOY AND APES.An interesting picture of a Negro boy, with a young Chimpanzee (left side of figure) and young Orang-utan (right side of figure).
By permission of Herr Carl Hagenbeck][Hamburg.NEGRO BOY AND APES.An interesting picture of a Negro boy, with a young Chimpanzee (left side of figure) and young Orang-utan (right side of figure).
By permission of Herr Carl Hagenbeck][Hamburg.
NEGRO BOY AND APES.
An interesting picture of a Negro boy, with a young Chimpanzee (left side of figure) and young Orang-utan (right side of figure).
The welcome accorded to "The Living Races of Mankind," of which the present work is the natural extension, would be a practical encouragement, if such were needed, to treat of the Living Races of Animals in like fashion. But the interest now taken in Natural History is of a kind and calibre never previously known, and any work which presents the wonders of the Animal World in a new or clearer form may make some claim to the approval of the public. The means at the disposal of those responsible for the following pages are, by mere lapse of time, greater than those of their predecessors. Every year not only adds to the stock of knowledge of the denizens of earth and ocean, but increases the facilities for presenting their forms andsurroundings pictorially. Photography applied to the illustration of the life of beasts, birds, fishes, insects, corals, and plants is at once the most attractive and the most correct form of illustration. In the following pages it will be used on a scale never equalled in any previous publication. Without straining words, it may be said that the subjects photographed have been obtained from every part of the world, many of them from the most distant islands of the Southern Ocean, the great barrier reef of Australia, the New Zealand hills, the Indian jungle, the South African veldt, and the rivers of British Columbia. Photographs of swimming fish, the flying bird, and of the leaping salmon will be reproduced as accurately as those of the large carnivora or the giant ungulates. In accordance with the example now being set by the Museum of Natural History, the living breeds of domesticated animals will also find a place.
SKELETONS OF MAN AND GORILLA.By permission of Herr Umlauff][Hamburg.SKELETONS OF MAN AND GORILLA.This photograph shows the remarkable similarity in the structure of the human frame (left) and that of the gorilla (right). This gorilla happened to be a particularly large specimen; the man was of ordinary height.
By permission of Herr Umlauff][Hamburg.SKELETONS OF MAN AND GORILLA.This photograph shows the remarkable similarity in the structure of the human frame (left) and that of the gorilla (right). This gorilla happened to be a particularly large specimen; the man was of ordinary height.
By permission of Herr Umlauff][Hamburg.
SKELETONS OF MAN AND GORILLA.
This photograph shows the remarkable similarity in the structure of the human frame (left) and that of the gorilla (right). This gorilla happened to be a particularly large specimen; the man was of ordinary height.
The time and expenditure employed in illustration will be equalled by the attention given to the descriptive portion of the work. The Editor will have the assistance of specialists, eminent alike in the world of science and practical discovery. Mr. F. C. Selous, for example, will deal with the African Lion and the Elephants, and other sportsmen with the big game of the Dark Continent. Mr. W. Saville-Kent, the author of "The Great Barrier Reef of Australia," will treat of the Marsupials of Australia and the Reptilia; Sir Herbert Maxwell will write on the Salmonidæ, and Mr. F. G. Aflalo on the Whales and other Cetacea of the deep seas; while Mr. R. Lydekker, Dr. Bowdler Sharpe, Mr. W. F. Kirby, and other specialists have kindly agreed to supervise the work. Where possible the illustrations will show the creatures in their natural surroundings, and in all cases thephotographic portraits of the animals will, by the nature of things, present true and living pictures, in place of the often curiously incorrect and distorted objects, the product of illustrators' fancy rather than the record of facts, not infrequently seen in previous illustrated natural histories.
SEA-SWALLOWS.Photo by G. Watmough Webster & Son][Chester.SEA-SWALLOWS.From their long wings, forked tail, and flight, the Terns are popularly called Sea-swallows.
Photo by G. Watmough Webster & Son][Chester.SEA-SWALLOWS.From their long wings, forked tail, and flight, the Terns are popularly called Sea-swallows.
Photo by G. Watmough Webster & Son][Chester.
SEA-SWALLOWS.
From their long wings, forked tail, and flight, the Terns are popularly called Sea-swallows.
AFRICAN LEOPARD.Photo by Ottomar Anschütz][Berlin.AFRICAN LEOPARD.An example of the black-spotted type of coloration so prevalent in Carnivora.
Photo by Ottomar Anschütz][Berlin.AFRICAN LEOPARD.An example of the black-spotted type of coloration so prevalent in Carnivora.
Photo by Ottomar Anschütz][Berlin.
AFRICAN LEOPARD.
An example of the black-spotted type of coloration so prevalent in Carnivora.
It is possible that while these pages are in the press discoveries of new animals may be made, or living representatives of creatures supposed to be extinct may be discovered.[1]One band of explorers is engaged in seeking on the plains of South America for recent remains and possible survivors of the giant ground-sloths. Another expedition is engaged, in the island of Java, in an even more interesting quest. Great as is the difference between even the lowest human intelligence and the mind of the man-like apes, the likeness both in form and action of the latter to man has never failed to suggest that there may have existed, or may even still exist, a higher anthropoid ape nearer to the human being than those now known. The idea has taken shape in the term "the missing link." The phrase is misleading in itself. Such a creature would be no more a link in the descent of man than one imperfectly developed limb of a tree is a link between the other branches and the stem. But it was always possible that we might find another branch which had attained a higher type than those terminating in the gorilla or chimpanzee. Recent search seems to have discovered the remains of such a creature.
EAST AFRICAN GIRAFFE.EAST AFRICAN GIRAFFE.This photograph was taken in the wilds of Africa by Lord Delamere, and shows the animal at home. The tree is a mimosa, on the top shoots of which the giraffe habitually feeds.
EAST AFRICAN GIRAFFE.This photograph was taken in the wilds of Africa by Lord Delamere, and shows the animal at home. The tree is a mimosa, on the top shoots of which the giraffe habitually feeds.
EAST AFRICAN GIRAFFE.
This photograph was taken in the wilds of Africa by Lord Delamere, and shows the animal at home. The tree is a mimosa, on the top shoots of which the giraffe habitually feeds.
FLYING-FOX.Photo by W. Saville-Kent, F.Z.S.][Croydon.FLYING-FOX.This bat, which is a native of Australia (where it was photographed), is commonly called the Flying-fox. Great flocks set out at sunset from the forest to feed upon the indigenous fruits, such as that of the native fig.
Photo by W. Saville-Kent, F.Z.S.][Croydon.FLYING-FOX.This bat, which is a native of Australia (where it was photographed), is commonly called the Flying-fox. Great flocks set out at sunset from the forest to feed upon the indigenous fruits, such as that of the native fig.
Photo by W. Saville-Kent, F.Z.S.][Croydon.
FLYING-FOX.
This bat, which is a native of Australia (where it was photographed), is commonly called the Flying-fox. Great flocks set out at sunset from the forest to feed upon the indigenous fruits, such as that of the native fig.
DOLPHINS.Photo by F. G. Aflalo, F.Z.S.DOLPHINS.This photograph was taken in mid-ocean, and shows a couple of dolphins following a ship across the Atlantic.
Photo by F. G. Aflalo, F.Z.S.DOLPHINS.This photograph was taken in mid-ocean, and shows a couple of dolphins following a ship across the Atlantic.
Photo by F. G. Aflalo, F.Z.S.
DOLPHINS.
This photograph was taken in mid-ocean, and shows a couple of dolphins following a ship across the Atlantic.
In the island of Java, near one of the homes of the man-like apes of to-day, a naturalist, M. Dubois, employed by the Dutch Government, excavated some fossil-bearing gravels on a river called the Solo. These gravels belong to a period when civilised man, at any rate, did not exist. In them he found a great quantity of bones of mammals and of prehistoric crocodiles. There were no perfect skeletons, and it was fairly plain that the bodies of the creatures had been floated down the river, and there pulled to pieces by the crocodiles, just as they are in India to-day. In this place, lying within a distance of about fifteen yards from each other, he made an extraordinary discovery of animal remains. This was no less than the top of the skull of a creature much higher in development than the chimpanzee or gorilla, but lower than the lowest type of human skull. Near it were also found two of the teeth and one of the bones of the thigh. The thighbone resembles very nearly that of a man, though Dr. Virchow, whom Englishmen remember in connection with the fatal illness of the German Emperor Frederick, considered it did not differ from that of one of the gibbons. The inference is that the creaturewalked upright; and this fact is recorded in its scientific name.
A HAPPY FAMILY.Photo by Fratelli Alinari][Florence.A HAPPY FAMILY.Hyæna, tiger, and lions living in amity—a remarkable proof of their tamer's power. In the same park at Hamburg, belonging to Herr Hagenbeck, are also bears, dogs, leopards, and pumas, all loose together.
Photo by Fratelli Alinari][Florence.A HAPPY FAMILY.Hyæna, tiger, and lions living in amity—a remarkable proof of their tamer's power. In the same park at Hamburg, belonging to Herr Hagenbeck, are also bears, dogs, leopards, and pumas, all loose together.
Photo by Fratelli Alinari][Florence.
A HAPPY FAMILY.
Hyæna, tiger, and lions living in amity—a remarkable proof of their tamer's power. In the same park at Hamburg, belonging to Herr Hagenbeck, are also bears, dogs, leopards, and pumas, all loose together.
As regards the skull, some specialists in anthropology said that it was that of a large ape, of a kind of gibbon (a long-armed, upright-walking ape, described later), of a "higher anthropoid ape," and of a low type of man. Finally, Dr. Cunningham, the able secretary of the Royal Irish Zoological Society, said it resembled that of a "microcephalous idiot." It is rather strange if the remains of the first and only man found in the Lower Pleistocene should happen to be those of a microcephalous idiot, for out of many millions of men born there are perhaps only one or two of this type. Compared with the head of any of the living apes, it is very large. Its brain-holding power is about five to three compared with the skull of a gorilla, and two to one compared with that of a chimpanzee.
ELEPHANTS.ELEPHANTS.This is another of Lord Delamere's East African photographs, and shows a couple of wild elephants in the open.
ELEPHANTS.This is another of Lord Delamere's East African photographs, and shows a couple of wild elephants in the open.
ELEPHANTS.
This is another of Lord Delamere's East African photographs, and shows a couple of wild elephants in the open.
GIANT TORTOISE.By permission of the Hon. Walter Rothschild][Tring.GIANT TORTOISE.This photograph of Mr. Walter Rothschild riding on one of his huge tortoises gives a good idea of the relative sizes of one of the "giant tortoises" and a human being.
By permission of the Hon. Walter Rothschild][Tring.GIANT TORTOISE.This photograph of Mr. Walter Rothschild riding on one of his huge tortoises gives a good idea of the relative sizes of one of the "giant tortoises" and a human being.
By permission of the Hon. Walter Rothschild][Tring.
GIANT TORTOISE.
This photograph of Mr. Walter Rothschild riding on one of his huge tortoises gives a good idea of the relative sizes of one of the "giant tortoises" and a human being.
A GROUP OF CROCODILIANS.Photo by Fratelli Alinari][Florence.A GROUP OF CROCODILIANS.A wonder of modern animal-training. The photograph shows a number of living crocodilians with their trainer. They have been on exhibition in Florence for some years past, and are still to be seen there.
Photo by Fratelli Alinari][Florence.A GROUP OF CROCODILIANS.A wonder of modern animal-training. The photograph shows a number of living crocodilians with their trainer. They have been on exhibition in Florence for some years past, and are still to be seen there.
Photo by Fratelli Alinari][Florence.
A GROUP OF CROCODILIANS.
A wonder of modern animal-training. The photograph shows a number of living crocodilians with their trainer. They have been on exhibition in Florence for some years past, and are still to be seen there.
There is a tradition in Sumatra that man-like apes exist, of a higher character than the orang-utan. Pending the discovery of more remains, the following extract is worth quoting, as giving shape to current ideas about such creatures both here and among the Malays. They take form in a very curious and interesting book, called "The Prison of Weltevreden," written by Walter M. Gibson in the middle of the last century. His story is that he was kept in prison at Weltevreden, in Java, by the Dutch, after leading a life of adventure and enquiry among the islands of the South Atlantic and Indian Ocean; that he came in his own small vessel to the Malay Archipelago, and spent some time in the interior of Sumatra,where he saw apparent evidences of semi-human beings. He saw the orang-utans in their native forest, and noted that they were covered with red hair, and was surprised at the slowness of their movements. Among some men engaged in building a stable for the raja, he saw "a dark form, tall as a middle-sized man, covered with hair, that looked soft and flowing; the arms, hands, legs, and feet seemed well formed, like the Malays'; the body was straight, and easily bore, on the right shoulder, the yoke of two heavy panniers filled with material for the building which was going on." Gibson says that "the eyes were clearer, the nose fuller, and the lips thinner than those of the commonMalay, but the mouth was wide, the lips protruding, and a chin formed no part of its hairy face; yet it was pleasantly human in expression," much more so than the dirty, mottle-faced coolies and lascars he had seen. We quote the account, as showing, if true, that Gibson saw an anthropoid apetaught to work.
SOMALI ZEBRAS.SOMALI ZEBRAS.This is a photograph of a group of zebras taken in Africa by Lord Delamere, and gives some idea of the surrounding country, where they live in happy freedom.
SOMALI ZEBRAS.This is a photograph of a group of zebras taken in Africa by Lord Delamere, and gives some idea of the surrounding country, where they live in happy freedom.
SOMALI ZEBRAS.
This is a photograph of a group of zebras taken in Africa by Lord Delamere, and gives some idea of the surrounding country, where they live in happy freedom.
It may be a mere coincidence, but it is nevertheless somewhat remarkable that the two great black man-like apes, the chimpanzee and the gorilla, inhabit the same continent as some of the blackest races of mankind, while the red orang-utan is found in countries where the yellow-skinned Malay races of man are indigenous.
The special thanks of the Editor and Publishers are due to a great many naturalists and zoologists for the valuable help they have given to, and the interest they have taken in, this work while it has been in preparation. No doubt, before the complete work is published, a great many more names will be added to the list, but meanwhile grateful acknowledgment should be made to the following:—Her Grace the Duchess of Bedford, who has kindly allowed many of her fine photographs to be reproduced in these pages; the Hon. Walter Rothschild, M.P., for the splendid collection of photographs taken especially for him in all parts of the world; Lord Delamere, for several unique photographs taken with a telephoto lens during his celebrated expedition to Africa; Major Nott, F.Z.S., for the use of his scientific series of animal photographs; Dr. R. W. Shufeldt, of Washington, for many photographs of fish and other animals in their natural surroundings; Mr. W. Saville-Kent, F.Z.S., F.L.S., for the photographs taken by him while in Australia; Mr. Lewis Medland, F.Z.S., for the use of his singularly complete set of animal photographs; Herr Carl Hagenbeck, of Hamburg, for permission to use his photographs of some extremely rare specimens of animals which from time to time have found a temporary home at his wonderful Thierpark; the Trustees of the British Museum, for permission to photograph some of their animals; Professor E. Ray Lankester, Director of the Natural History Branch of the British Museum; and the Zoological Society, for permission to photograph some of the animals. And also to Herr Ottomar Anschütz, of Berlin; Messrs. Bond & Grover, of the Scholastic Photographic Co.; Signor Alinari, of Florence; Messrs. Kerry & Co. and Mr. Henry King, of Sydney; Mr. Charles Knight; Mr. J. W. McLellan; Messrs. Charles and William Reid; Messrs. A. S. Rudland & Sons; and Messrs. York & Sons, for permission to reproduce their photographs.
The special thanks of the Editor and Publishers are due to a great many naturalists and zoologists for the valuable help they have given to, and the interest they have taken in, this work while it has been in preparation. No doubt, before the complete work is published, a great many more names will be added to the list, but meanwhile grateful acknowledgment should be made to the following:—Her Grace the Duchess of Bedford, who has kindly allowed many of her fine photographs to be reproduced in these pages; the Hon. Walter Rothschild, M.P., for the splendid collection of photographs taken especially for him in all parts of the world; Lord Delamere, for several unique photographs taken with a telephoto lens during his celebrated expedition to Africa; Major Nott, F.Z.S., for the use of his scientific series of animal photographs; Dr. R. W. Shufeldt, of Washington, for many photographs of fish and other animals in their natural surroundings; Mr. W. Saville-Kent, F.Z.S., F.L.S., for the photographs taken by him while in Australia; Mr. Lewis Medland, F.Z.S., for the use of his singularly complete set of animal photographs; Herr Carl Hagenbeck, of Hamburg, for permission to use his photographs of some extremely rare specimens of animals which from time to time have found a temporary home at his wonderful Thierpark; the Trustees of the British Museum, for permission to photograph some of their animals; Professor E. Ray Lankester, Director of the Natural History Branch of the British Museum; and the Zoological Society, for permission to photograph some of the animals. And also to Herr Ottomar Anschütz, of Berlin; Messrs. Bond & Grover, of the Scholastic Photographic Co.; Signor Alinari, of Florence; Messrs. Kerry & Co. and Mr. Henry King, of Sydney; Mr. Charles Knight; Mr. J. W. McLellan; Messrs. Charles and William Reid; Messrs. A. S. Rudland & Sons; and Messrs. York & Sons, for permission to reproduce their photographs.
SUN-FISH.Photo by Dr. R. W. Shufeldt][Washington.SUN-FISH.This photograph was taken through the water by Dr. R. W. Shufeldt, who has made a speciality of this kind of photography.
Photo by Dr. R. W. Shufeldt][Washington.SUN-FISH.This photograph was taken through the water by Dr. R. W. Shufeldt, who has made a speciality of this kind of photography.
Photo by Dr. R. W. Shufeldt][Washington.
SUN-FISH.
This photograph was taken through the water by Dr. R. W. Shufeldt, who has made a speciality of this kind of photography.
A YOUNG CHIMPANZEE.Photos by G. W. Wilson & Co., Ltd.][Aberdeen.A YOUNG CHIMPANZEE.Anger.Pleasure.Fear.
Photos by G. W. Wilson & Co., Ltd.][Aberdeen.A YOUNG CHIMPANZEE.Anger.Pleasure.Fear.
Photos by G. W. Wilson & Co., Ltd.][Aberdeen.
A YOUNG CHIMPANZEE.
Anger.Pleasure.Fear.
THE LIVING ANIMALS OF THE WORLD.
BOOK I. MAMMALS.
APES, MONKEYS, AND LEMURS.
THE MAN-LIKE APES.
ARABIAN BABOON.Photo by Fratelli Alinari, Florence.ARABIAN BABOON.
Photo by Fratelli Alinari, Florence.ARABIAN BABOON.
Photo by Fratelli Alinari, Florence.
ARABIAN BABOON.
The Chimpanzee.
Of all the great apes theChimpanzeemost closely approaches man in bodily structure and appearance, although in height it is less near the human standard than the gorilla, 5 feet being probably that of an adult male.
Several races of this ape are known, among them theTrue Chimpanzeeand theBald Chimpanzee. The varieties also include the Kulo-kamba, described by Du Chaillu, and the Soko, discovered by Livingstone, who confounded it with the gorilla. But the variations in neither of these are sufficiently important to justify their being ranked as species.
The first authentic mention of the chimpanzee is found in "The Strange Adventures of Andrew Battell." an English sailor taken prisoner by the Portuguese in 1590, who lived eighteen years near Angola. He speaks of two apes, the Pongo and the Enjocko, of which the former is the gorilla, the latter the chimpanzee. The animal was first seen in Europe in 1641, and described scientifically fifty-eight years later, but we are indebtedto Dr. Savage, a missionary, for our first account of its habits, in 1847.
JENNY, THE WELL-KNOWN CHIMPANZEE AT THE ZOOPhoto by Scholastic Photo. Co.][Parson's Green."JENNY," THE WELL-KNOWN CHIMPANZEE AT THE ZOO.A VERY CHARACTERISTIC POSE.In this picture the rounded ear, human-like wrinkles on the forehead, and length of the toes should be noted.
Photo by Scholastic Photo. Co.][Parson's Green."JENNY," THE WELL-KNOWN CHIMPANZEE AT THE ZOO.A VERY CHARACTERISTIC POSE.In this picture the rounded ear, human-like wrinkles on the forehead, and length of the toes should be noted.
Photo by Scholastic Photo. Co.][Parson's Green.
"JENNY," THE WELL-KNOWN CHIMPANZEE AT THE ZOO.A VERY CHARACTERISTIC POSE.
In this picture the rounded ear, human-like wrinkles on the forehead, and length of the toes should be noted.
The chimpanzee, like the gorilla, is found only in Africa. The range includes West and Central Equatorial Africa, from the Gambia in the north to near Angola in the south, while it occurs in the Niam-Niam country to the north-west of the great lakes, and has been discovered recently in Uganda. The new Uganda Railway, which will open out the great lakes to the east, will bring English travellers well within reach of the nearest haunt of these great apes. It is on the likeness and difference of their form and shape to those of man that the attention of the world has been mainly fixed.
The chimpanzee is a heavily built animal, with chest and arms of great power. The male is slightly taller than the female. The crown is depressed, the chin receding, the ridges which overhang the eye-sockets more prominent than in man, less so than in the gorilla. The nose has a short bridge, and a flat extremity. The ear is large, and less human than that of the gorilla. The hands and feet are comparatively long; the digits are, except the thumb and great toe, joined by a web. The arms are short for an ape, reaching only to the knees. The teeth are similar to those of man, and the canines of only moderate size. The chimpanzee has thirteen pairs of ribs, and, like man, has a suggestion at the end of the vertebræ of a rudimentary tail. It walks on all-fours, with the backs of its closed fingers on the ground, and can only stand upright by clasping its hands above its head. The skin is of a reddish or brown flesh-colour, the hair black, with white patches on the lower part of the face. The bald chimpanzee has the top front, and sides of the face bare, exceedingly large ears, thick lips, and black or brown hands and feet.
The chimpanzee's natural home is the thick forest, where tropical vegetation ensures almost total gloom. But near Loango it frequents the mountains near the coast. It is a fruit-feeding animal, said to do much damage to plantations, but the bald race, at all events in captivity, takes readily to flesh, and the famous "Sally" which lived in the Zoo for over six years used to kill and eat pigeons, and caught and killed rats. The male chimpanzee builds a nest in a tree for his family, and sleeps under its shelter; when food becomes scarce in the vicinity, a move is made, and a new nest built. This ape lives either in separate families or communities not exceeding ten in number, and is monogamous.
As to the animal's courage, it is difficult to get accurate information, as the sins of thegorilla and baboon have often been laid on its shoulders, and information derived from natives is usually untrustworthy. Apparently the chimpanzee avoids coming into collision with man, although, when attacked, it is a formidable antagonist. Tales of chimpanzees kidnapping women and children need stronger evidence than they have yet obtained. The natives kill this ape by spearing it in the back, or by driving it into nets, where it is entangled and easily dispatched. According to Livingstone, the soko, as the chimpanzee is called in East Central Africa, kills the leopard by biting its paws, but falls an easy prey to the lion.
A YOUNG CHIMPANZEE.Photo by G. W. Wilson & Co., Ltd.][Aberdeen.A YOUNG CHIMPANZEE.This excellent photograph, by Major Nott, F.Z.S., is particularly good, as showing the manner in which these animals use their hands and feet.
Photo by G. W. Wilson & Co., Ltd.][Aberdeen.A YOUNG CHIMPANZEE.This excellent photograph, by Major Nott, F.Z.S., is particularly good, as showing the manner in which these animals use their hands and feet.
Photo by G. W. Wilson & Co., Ltd.][Aberdeen.
A YOUNG CHIMPANZEE.
This excellent photograph, by Major Nott, F.Z.S., is particularly good, as showing the manner in which these animals use their hands and feet.
In captivity it is docile and intelligent, but usually fails to stand a northern climate for more than a few months. It is easily taught to wear clothes, to eat and drink in civilised fashion, to understand what is said to it, and reply with a limited vocabulary of grunts. Sally learnt to count perfectly up to six, and less perfectly to ten; she could also distinguish white from any colour, but if other colours were presented her she failed, apparently from colour-blindness. Of this ape the late Dr. G. J. Romanes wrote with something more than the enthusiasm of a clever man pursuing a favourite theme: "Her intelligence was conspicuously displayed by the remarkable degree in which she was able to understand the meaning of spoken language—a degree fully equal to that presented by an infant a few months before emerging from infancy, and therefore higher than that which is presented by any brute, so far at least as I have evidence to show." Romanes here speaksonly, be it noticed, of ability to understand human speech—not to think and act. But this is in itself a great mark of intelligenceon human lines. "Having enlisted the co-operation of the keepers, I requested them to ask the ape repeatedly for one straw, two straws, three straws. These she was to pick up and hand out from among the litter of her cage. No constant order was to be observed in making these requests; but whenever she handed a number not asked for her offer was to be refused, while if she gave the proper number her offer was to be accepted, and she was to receive a piece of fruit in payment. In this way the ape had learnt to associate these three numbers with the names. As soon as the animal understood what was required, she never failed to give the number of straws asked for. Her education was then completed in a similar manner from three to four, and from four to five straws. Sally rarely made mistakes up to that number; but above five, and up to ten, to which one of the keepers endeavoured to advance her education, the result is uncertain. It is evident that she understands the wordsseven, eight, nine, and ten to betoken numbers higher than those below them. When she was asked for any number above six, she always gave some number over six and under ten. She sometimes doubled over a straw to make it present two ends, and was supposed (thus) to hasten the attainment of her task." By no means all the chimpanzees are so patient as Sally. One kept in the Zoological Gardens for some time made an incessant noise by stamping on the back of the box in which it was confined. It struck this with the flat of its foot while hanging to the cross-bar or perch, and made a prodigious din. This seems to bear out the stories of chimpanzees assembling and drumming on logs in the Central African forests.
HEAD OF MALE GORILLA.Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons.HEAD OF MALE GORILLA.This is a photograph of one of the first gorillas ever brought to England. It was sent by the famous M. du Chaillu.
Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons.HEAD OF MALE GORILLA.This is a photograph of one of the first gorillas ever brought to England. It was sent by the famous M. du Chaillu.
Photo by A. S. Rudland & Sons.
HEAD OF MALE GORILLA.
This is a photograph of one of the first gorillas ever brought to England. It was sent by the famous M. du Chaillu.
The Gorilla.
The name of this enormous ape has been known since 450B.C.Hanno the Carthaginian, when off Sierra Leone, met with wild men and women whom the interpreter calledGorillas. The males escaped and flung stones from the rocks, but several females were captured. These animals could not have been gorillas, but were probably baboons. Andrew Battell, already mentioned, described the gorilla under the name of Pongo. He says it is like a man, but without understanding even to put a log on a fire; it kills Negroes, and drives off the elephant with clubs; it is never taken alive, but its young are killed with poisoned arrows; it covers its dead with boughs. Dr. Savage described it in 1847. Later Du Chaillu visited its haunts, and his well-known book relates how he met and killed several specimens. But Mr. Winwood Reade, who also went in quest of it, declared that Du Chaillu, like himself, never saw a live gorilla. Von Koppenfels, however, saw a family of four feeding, besides shooting others. The late Miss Kingsley met several, one of which was killed by her elephant-men.
The gorilla has a limited range, extending from 2° north to 5° south latitude in West Africa, a moist overgrown region including the mouth of the Gaboon River. How far east it is found is uncertain, but it is known in the Sierra del Cristal. In 1851-52 it was seen in considerable numbers on the coast.
The gorilla is the largest, strongest, and most formidable of the Primates. An adult male is from 5 feet 8 inches to 6 feet high, heavily built, with arms and chest of extraordinary power. The arms reach to the middle of the legs. The hands are clumsy, the thumb short, and the fingers joined by a web. The neck scarcely exists. The leg has a slight calf. The toes are stumpy and thick; the great toe moves like a thumb. The head is large and receding, with enormous ridges above the eyes, which give it a diabolical appearance. The canine teeth are developed into huge tusks. The nose has a long bridge, and the nostrils look downwards. The ear is small and man-like.
In colour the gorilla varies from deep black to iron-grey, with a reddish tinge on the head; old animals become grizzled. The outer hair is ringed grey and brown; beneath it is a woolly growth. The female is smaller—not exceeding 4 feet 6 inches—and less hideous, asthe canines are much smaller, and the ridges above the eyes are not noticeable, a feature common also to the young.
Timid, superstitious natives and credulous or untrustworthy travellers have left still wrapped in mystery many of the habits of this mighty ape, whose fever-stricken, forest-clad haunts render investigation always difficult, often impossible. Many tales of its ferocity and strength are obviously untrue, but we think that too much has been disbelieved. That a huge arm descends from a tree, draws up and chokes the wayfarer, must be false, for intelligent natives have confessed to knowing no instance of the gorilla attacking man. That it vanquishes the leopard is probable; that it has driven the lion from its haunts requires proof. Nor can we accept tales of the carrying-off of Negro women; and the defeat of the elephants, too, must be considered a fiction.
But we must believe that this ape, if provoked or wounded, is a terrible foe, capable of ripping open a man with one stroke of its paw, or of cracking the skull of a hunter as easily as a squirrel cracks a nut. There is a tale of a tribe that kept an enormous gorilla as executioner, which tore its victims to pieces, until an Englishman, doomed to meet it, noticing a large swelling near its ribs, killed it with a heavy blow or two on the weak spot.
Gorillas live mainly in the trees on whose fruit they subsist; they construct a shelter in the lower boughs for the family, and as a lying-in place for the female. The male is said to sleep below, with his back against the tree—a favourite attitude with both sexes—to keep off leopards. On the ground it moves on all-fours, with a curious swinging action, caused by putting its hands with fingers extended on the ground, and bringing its body forward by a half-jump. Having a heel, it can stand better than other apes; but this attitude is not common, and Du Chaillu appears to have been mistaken when he describes the gorilla as attacking upright.
In captivity only immature specimens have been seen—Barnum's great ape being one of the larger forms of chimpanzee. Accounts vary as to the temper of the gorilla, some describing it as untamable, while others say it is docile and playful when young. There is an American tale that a gorilla over 6 feet high was captured near Tanganyika, but nothing more has reached us about it.
When enraged, a gorilla beats its breast, as the writer was informed by a keeper, who thus confirmed Du Chaillu's account. Its usual voice is a grunt, which, when the animal is excited, becomes a roar.
A MALE GORILLA.By permission of Herr Umlauff][Hamburg.A MALE GORILLA.This photograph of the largest gorilla known was taken immediately after death by Herr Paschen at Yaunde, and gives an excellent idea of the size of these animals as compared with Negroes. The animal weighed 400 lbs.
By permission of Herr Umlauff][Hamburg.A MALE GORILLA.This photograph of the largest gorilla known was taken immediately after death by Herr Paschen at Yaunde, and gives an excellent idea of the size of these animals as compared with Negroes. The animal weighed 400 lbs.
By permission of Herr Umlauff][Hamburg.
A MALE GORILLA.
This photograph of the largest gorilla known was taken immediately after death by Herr Paschen at Yaunde, and gives an excellent idea of the size of these animals as compared with Negroes. The animal weighed 400 lbs.
The Orang-utan.
This great red ape was mentioned by Linnæus in 1766, and at the beginning of the last century a specimen living in the Prince of Orange's collection was described by Vosmaer.
There are three varieties of theOrang, called by the DyaksMias-pappan,Mias-rambi, andMias-kassu, the third of which is smaller, has no cheek-excrescences, and very large teeth. Some naturalists recognise a pale and a dark race.
Most of our information is due to Raja Brooke and Dr. Wallace. The species is confined to Borneo and Sumatra, but fossils have been found in India of this genus, as well as of a chimpanzee. The orang is less man-like than the chimpanzee and gorilla. In height the male varies from 3 feet 10 inches to 4 feet 6 inches, the female being a few inches shorter. It is a heavy creature, with large head—often a foot in breadth—thick neck, powerful arms, which reach nearly to the ankles, and protuberant abdomen. Its legs are short and bowed. The forehead is high, the nose fairly large, the ears very human. The throat is ornamented with large pouches, and there are often callosities on the cheeks. The fingers are webbed, the thumb small, the foot long and narrow, the great toe small and often without a nail. The brain is man-like, and the ribs agree in number with those of man; but there are nine bones in the wrist, whereas man, the gorilla, and the chimpanzee have but eight. The canine teeth are enormous in the male. The hair, a foot or more long on the shoulders and thighs, is yellowish red: there is a slight beard. The skin is grey or brown, and often, in adults, black.
YOUNG ORANG-UTANS.Photo by Ottomar Anschütz][Berlin.YOUNG ORANG-UTANS.It will be seen here, from the profile, that the young anthropoid ape has only the upper part of the head at all approaching the human type.
Photo by Ottomar Anschütz][Berlin.YOUNG ORANG-UTANS.It will be seen here, from the profile, that the young anthropoid ape has only the upper part of the head at all approaching the human type.
Photo by Ottomar Anschütz][Berlin.
YOUNG ORANG-UTANS.
It will be seen here, from the profile, that the young anthropoid ape has only the upper part of the head at all approaching the human type.
The orang is entirely a tree-living animal, and is only found in moist districts where there is much virgin forest. On the ground it progresses clumsily on all-fours, using its arms as crutches, and with the side only of its feet on the ground. In trees it travels deliberately but with perfect ease, swinging along underneath the branches, although it also walks along them semi-erect. It lives alone with mate and young, and builds a sleeping-place sufficiently low to avoid the wind. Its food is leaves and fruit, especially the durian; its feeding-time, midday.
No animal molests the mias save—so say the Dyaks—the python and crocodile, both of which it kills by tearing with its hands. It never attacks man, but has been known to bite savagely when brought to bay, and it is very tenacious of life, one being found by Mr. Wallace still alive after a fall from a tree, when "both legs had been broken, its hip-joint and the root of the spine shattered, and two bullets flattened in neck and jaws."
In captivity young orangs are playful and docile, but passionate. Less intelligent than chimpanzees, they may be taught to eat and drink nicely, and to obey simple commands. One in the Zoo at present has acquired the rudiments of drill. They will eat meat and eggs, and drink wine, beer, spirits, and tea. An orang described years ago by Dr. Clarke Abel was allowed the run of the ship on the voyage to England, and would play with the sailors in the rigging. When refused food he pretended to commit suicide, and rushed over the side, only to be found under the chains.
BABY ORANG-UTANS AT PLAY.Photo by Ottomar Anschütz][Berlin.BABY ORANG-UTANS AT PLAY.
Photo by Ottomar Anschütz][Berlin.BABY ORANG-UTANS AT PLAY.
Photo by Ottomar Anschütz][Berlin.
BABY ORANG-UTANS AT PLAY.
The orang is the least interesting of the three great apes; he lacks the power and brutality of the gorilla and the intelligence of the chimpanzee. "The orang," said its keeper to the writer, "is a buffoon; the chimpanzee, a gentleman."
It is worth remark that, although all these apes soon die in our menageries, in Calcutta, where they are kept in the open, orangs thrive well.
TWO BABY ORANG-UTANS. THE TUG-OF-WAR.Photo by Ottomar Anschütz][Berlin.TWO BABY ORANG-UTANS. THE TUG-OF-WAR.
Photo by Ottomar Anschütz][Berlin.TWO BABY ORANG-UTANS. THE TUG-OF-WAR.
Photo by Ottomar Anschütz][Berlin.
TWO BABY ORANG-UTANS. THE TUG-OF-WAR.
The Gibbons.
Next after the great apes in man-like characters come a few long-armed, tailless apes, known as theGibbons. Like the orang-utan, they live in the great tropical forests of Asia, especially the Indian Archipelago; like the latter, they are gentle, affectionate creatures; and they have also a natural affection for man. But it is in mind and temperament, rather than in skeleton, that the links and differences between men and monkeys must be sought. It will be found that these forest apes differ from other animals and from the true monkeys mainly in this—that they are predisposed to be friendly to man and to obey him, and that they have no bias towards mischief, or "monkey tricks." They are thoughtful, well behaved, and sedate.
THE LARGEST GORILLA EVER CAPTURED.By permission of Herr Umlauff.THE LARGEST GORILLA EVER CAPTURED.This huge ape, 5 feet 5 inches high, measures a distance of over 8 feet from finger to finger.
By permission of Herr Umlauff.THE LARGEST GORILLA EVER CAPTURED.This huge ape, 5 feet 5 inches high, measures a distance of over 8 feet from finger to finger.
By permission of Herr Umlauff.
THE LARGEST GORILLA EVER CAPTURED.
This huge ape, 5 feet 5 inches high, measures a distance of over 8 feet from finger to finger.
TheSiamang, one of the largest of the long-armed, tailless gibbons, lives in the Malay Archipelago. The arms of a specimen only 3 feet high measured 5 feet 6 inches across. This, like all the gibbons, makes its way from tree to tree mainly by swinging itself by its arms. But the siamang canwalkupright and run. One kept on board ship would walk down the cabin breakfast-table without upsetting the china. TheWhite-handed Gibbonis found in Tenasserim, south-west of Burma. This ape has a musical howl, which the whole flock utters in the early mornings on the tree-tops. In Northern India, in the hills beyond the Brahmaputra, lives another gibbon, theHulock. One of these kept in captivity soon learnt to eat properly at meals, and to drink out of a cup instead of dipping his fingers in the tea and milk and then sucking them. TheSilvery Gibbonkept at the Zoological Gardens was a most amiable pet, and had all the agility of the other gibbons. It is very seldom seen in this country, being a native of Java, where it is said to show the most astonishing activity among the tall cane-groves. One of the first ever brought to England belonged to the great Lord Clive. TheAgile Gibbonis another and darker ape of this group.
The list of the man-like apes closes with this group. All the gibbons are highly specialised for tree-climbing and an entirely arboreal life; but it is undeniable that, apart from the modifications necessary for this, such as the abnormal length of the arms, the skeleton closely resembles that of a human being. In their habits, when wild, none of these apes show any remarkable degree of intelligence; but their living is gained in so simple a way, by plucking fruits and leaves, that there is nothing in their surroundings to stimulate thought. They do not need even to think of a time of famine or winter, or to lay up a stock of food for such a season, because they live in the forests under the Equator.
WHITE-HANDED GIBBON.Photo by York & Son][Notting Hill.WHITE-HANDED GIBBON.This gibbon is found in the forests of the Malay Archipelago.
Photo by York & Son][Notting Hill.WHITE-HANDED GIBBON.This gibbon is found in the forests of the Malay Archipelago.
Photo by York & Son][Notting Hill.
WHITE-HANDED GIBBON.
This gibbon is found in the forests of the Malay Archipelago.
HULOCK GIBBON.Photo by York & Son][Notting Hill.HULOCK GIBBON.The great length of arm in comparison with the body and head should here be noted.
Photo by York & Son][Notting Hill.HULOCK GIBBON.The great length of arm in comparison with the body and head should here be noted.
Photo by York & Son][Notting Hill.
HULOCK GIBBON.
The great length of arm in comparison with the body and head should here be noted.
MONKEYS.
The Dog-shaped Monkeys.
After the gibbons come a vast number of monkeys of every conceivable size, shape, and variety, which naturalists have arranged in consecutive order with fair success. Until we reach the Baboons, and go on to the South American Monkeys and the Lemurs, it is not easy to give any idea of what these monkeys do or look like merely by referring to their scientific groups. The usual order of natural histories will here befollowed, and the descriptions will, so far as possible, present the habits and appearance of the monkeys specially noticed.