262 ANNUAL, REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1936 



Compare this with the present day and the investigator backed by 

 a high-power modern double-barreled rifle, capable with a soft-nosed 

 bullet of dealing a shattering blow — practically infallible. Then 

 read the awful tales of superferocity served up for world-wide con- 

 sumption by the very people so well armed that they can interfere 

 and disturb as freely as they like in absolute safety. 



And, if the gorilla, suspicious and resentful of constant interfer- 

 ence and undue disturbance, is no longer content with demonstration, 

 but is prone to carry home his "charge", who is to blame — the gorilla 

 or the persistent disturber ? With little practical experience one can- 

 not dogmatize, but if that limited experience is backed by the 

 knowledge acquired by reliable eyewitnesses, as it is most emphati- 

 cally, then it can be unhesitatingly claimed that, like most wild 

 creatures, the gorilla normally is peaceably disposed and not ag- 

 gressive. More than most, possibly, is this the case with the Kayonsa 

 representative, for, owing to constant close contact with human set- 

 tlement and the wandering charcoal-burners who operate in the 

 heart of its western haunts, it can be regarded as almost semido- 

 mestic, while I am reliably informed that at times the old males are 

 absurdly contemptuous of the local populace. It is a striking 

 example of the familiarity which breeds contempt. 



As far as could be ascertained, and in spite of what had been 

 previously asserted to the contrary, the Kayonsa gorilla is not guilty 

 of frequent crop-raiding, at least so the local natives assured me. 

 It is true that the gorillas often feed in the vicinity of cultivation, but 

 the attraction is mainly the occurrence of various species of nourish- 

 ing weeds which grow to exceptional size on abandoned plots. The 

 local Bachiga (who can blame them?) very naturally object to the 

 proximity of these awe-inspiring beasts, and usually try to drive 

 them away. It is then that the males are most contemptuous of 

 human effort, and the females and young having been sent off, the old 

 gentlemen move only when it suits them to do so. The Wambutte 

 are extremely tolerant of the gorillas, but not so the other local na- 

 tives, who would readily endeavor to exterminate the lot, were it not 

 for the fact, of which they are well aware, that these splendid 

 animals are absolutely protected by the Government. It can be 

 realized, then, that the principal human enemy of the gorilla is the 

 camera-man and pseudo-investigator, who disturb flagrantly and 

 imnecessarily, then irritate, and finally have to take life in "self 

 defense." 



In the minds of many who should know better, the gorilla is classed 

 as a dangerous, ferocious beast, for "if molested it endeavors to 

 defend itself !" 



The general proximity of this gorilla habitat to human settlement 

 has resulted in the presence of human beings having little disturbing 



