02 THE MAX-LIKE APES. i 



tradition with the natives generally here, that they were 

 onee members of their own tribe: that for their depraved 

 habits they were expelled from all human society, and, 

 that through an obstinate indulgence of their vile pro- 

 pensities, they have degenerated into their present state 

 and organisation. They are, however, eaten by them, and 

 when cooked with the oil and pulp of the palm-nut con- 

 sidered a highly palatable morsel. 



" They exhibit a remarkable degree of intelligence in 

 their habits, and, on the part of the mother, much affec- 

 tion for their young. The second female described was 

 upon a tree when first discovered, with her mate and two 

 young ones (a male and a female). Her first impulse was 

 to descend with great rapidity and make off into the 

 thicket, with her mate and female offspring. The young 

 male remaining behind, she soon returned to the rescue. 

 She ascended and took him in her arms, at which moment 

 she was shot, the ball passing through the fore-arm 

 of the young one, on its way to the heart of the 

 mother. . . . 



" In a recent case, the mother, when discovered, re- 

 mained upon the tree with her offspring, watching in- 

 tently the movements of the hunter. As he took aim, she 

 motioned with her hand, precisely in the manner of a hu- 

 man being, to have him desist and go away. When the 

 wound has not proved instantly fatal, they have been 

 known to stop the flow of blood by pressing with the 

 hand upon the part, and when this did not succeed, to 

 apply leaves and grass. . . . When shot, they give a sud- 

 den screech, not unlike that of a human being in sudden 

 and acute distress." 



The ordinary voice of the Chimpanzee, how- 

 ever, is affirmed to be hoarse, guttural, and not 

 very loud, somewhat like " whoo-whoo." (/. c. p. 

 365.) 



