iQiy- Carpenter — Notes on the Diihtin Gorilla. 127 



such a comparatively long period is largely due. Before 

 her arrival the Gorilla had been dignified with the name 

 of " Empress," her companion Chimpanzee being called 

 " Charlie." Both apes were apparently more than a year 

 old, but certainly less than two years, in January, 1914, 

 so that at her death " Empress " had probably attained 

 an age of nearly five years. During her residence among us 

 she was closely watched, and many attempts were made 

 to secure good photographs. In this work, Mr, W. N. Allen, 

 who spared neither time nor trouble in order to obtain 

 the best results in light and posture, was highly success- 

 ful ; he kindly allows me to use the three excellent 

 pictures that accompany this article, one of which (Plate IV.) 

 represents " Empress " when about two years old, the 

 other two (Plates III., V.) v/hen between four and five. 



Most wTiters on the habits of the Gorilla describe this ape 

 as morose and savage in disposition, though Ealkenstein's 

 specimen, kept first in West Africa and afterwards at Berlin, 

 w-as docile and playful. " Empress " proved quite docile 

 and never attempted to hurt or bite anyone — simian or 

 human — though she has shown herself distinctly less 

 interesting and friendly than most of the Chimpanzees that 

 have lived in Phoenix Park. The contrast in appearance 

 between the black-skinned, small-eared, broad-nosed Gorilla 

 and the pale-faced, large-eared, comparatively narrow-nosed 

 Chimpanzee is very striking, and the generic distinction 

 between the two types of ape, now generally accepted by 

 systematic zoologists, seems fully justified. 



On first taking up her residence in the Dublin ape-house, 

 " Empress " was naturall}^ shy and nervous, but she quickly 

 became accustomed to her surroundings. She was then 

 willing to make friends, in a quiet way, with casual visitors 

 whom she allow^ed to pat and stroke her, but she strongly 

 resented any attempt (even by the keeper) to carry her 

 about or nurse her. When such attentions were offered 

 she became nervous and greatly distressed. This aversion 

 was noteworthy, because young Chimpanzees delight to 

 rest in the arms of a human friend, and, like small children, 

 often beg by means of voice and gesture to be lifted up 

 and carried about. Also it is well known to frequenters 



