n. [ An African word; found in a Greek translation of a treatise in Punic by Hanno, a Carthaginian. ] (Zool.) A large, arboreal, anthropoid ape of West Africa. It is larger than a man, and is remarkable for its massive skeleton and powerful muscles, which give it enormous strength. In some respects its anatomy, more than that of any other ape, except the chimpanzee, resembles that of man.
n. [ Sp. zorilla, zorillo, dim. of zorra, zorro, a fox: cf. F. zorille. ] (Zool.) Either one of two species of small African carnivores of the genus
☞ The best-known species (Ictonyx zorilla) has black shiny fur with white bands and spots. It has anal glands which produce a very offensive secretion, similar to that of the skunk. It feeds upon birds and their eggs and upon small mammals, and is often very destructive to poultry. It is sometimes tamed by the natives, and kept to destroy rats and mice. Called also