GORILLAS— PITMAN 265 



Edward plains or elsewhere, a phenomenon which might have driven 

 the gorillas to seek safety in the trees. One day by chance one may 

 happen upon the correct solution. Climatic conditions are un- 

 likely to be the controlling factor, for the ground, however damp, 

 does provide a measure of warmth and shelter, while the elevated 

 "perches" in the trees are often exposed and must be exceptionally 

 cold. What then? 



There is one other factor which merits consideration. Can the 

 destructive bush-j^ig be responsible for this extra solicitude for pro- 

 tection? The nocturnal bush-pig, with which this region swarms, 

 when foraging in truculent droves is no mean antagonist, and is 

 quite capable of routing a gorilla troop by sheer force of numbers. 

 Is this the answer to the riddle? Time alone can tell. 



In order to convey an idea of the exacting conditions under which 

 gorilla investigations are made, a graph (fig. 2) is shown of the 

 route followed — the altitudes being recorded by pocket aneroid — 

 in terms of ascents and descents to the approximate time factor. 

 And, as previously explained, the going nowhere is straightforward. 

 When one does happen to travel along the side of a hill or round 

 a reentrant and expects a little relief, the so-called path is almost 

 invariably on a slant of 45 degrees, and hedged in closely with tall 

 grass and scrub. 



The most profitable and comfortable way of observing the Kay- 

 onsa gorillas is to let the pygmies, who are experts, go out first to 

 locate them. Normally a troop does not move far in the 24 hours, 

 often remaining 3 to 5 days in a small valley, and sometimes being 

 found on 3 consecutive days practically in the same spot; once lo- 

 cated, if it is too late to make contact that day it is unlikely to be 

 far away the next. 



In order to experience the difficulties in progression one has to 

 expect, as well as to exercise gradually one's hill-climbing muscles, 

 it is quite sound to go out previously on reconnaissance. But to join 

 the pygmies in the initial efforts to locate a troop is not advised, 

 as one is merely a hindrance to these agile little people. A good 

 walker can satisfactorily take on the Wambutte on the level, and 

 so he ought with his big stride, but it will take an exceptionally 

 active and seasoned white man all his time to keep in sight of his 

 little guides as they make prolonged ascents at their normal pace. 



And what pitying scornful glances they cast at the perspiring 

 mzungu (European) painfully toiling upward and lagging far be- 

 low. The altitude, 6,000 feet to 7,900 feet, naturally also adds to 

 the difficulties of strenuous climbs, and it takes several days, if 

 then, to acquire what one hopes is goatlike agility, and to ascend 



