THE GIBBONS. RY

and it was only when her young one was on the point of
attaining 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 Long The gibbons belong to the genus Heaps
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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