evident preference of the level ‘surface, it is highly
probable, as, indeed, most travellers have affirmed,
that the progression and habits of the species are
more terrestrial than arboreal, and that they
ascend trees, principally, if not solely, in search
of food. When ordered to seat himself in his
swing, Tommy did so with great good humour,
stretching out his foot to some of the company to
set him in motion. We observed that he used
the right hand in preference to the left, and had
obviously greater power and facility of action
with this than with the opposite member. In the
human subject this has generally been attributed
to the effects of education; but in Tommy, at least,
it was a natural action, since he was perfectly
unsophisticated in this respect; and it would be a
highly interesting inquiry to ascertain whether
the same preference may not be exhibited in other
apes, and consequently how far it may depend
upon some necessary and inherent principle of
the animal conformation, rather than upon mere
education.
All his actions were those of a human infant, and though his powers, both mental and physical, were, comparatively speaking, more developed, he had all the gaiety, playfulness, and curiosity of the child, the same innocence, the same gentleness, the same affection, and the same restless, pettish, and inconstant disposition; even his natural appetites and tastes were similar; he had the same natural fondness for sweets, the same propensity to eat at all times and of all substances, and equally preferred milk and tea to spirituous and fermented liquors.
"In natural shrewdness and sagacity, however,
