GORILLA 221 



Genl. Char. Size very large ; color nearly all white. Skull very 

 large, similar to that of G. g. matschie and about equal in size. An 

 enormous crest, larger than that of G. g. matschie commences on for- 

 ward part of the frontal a little behind the orbital ridge, rises directly 

 upwards, not with a gradual slope as in G. g. matschie, and increasing 

 in height as it proceeds, joins the broad flat expansion that encircles the 

 occipital region. The braincase itself is comparatively small, being 

 longer than G. g. matschie but narrower and less rounded. Orbital 

 ridges very prominent and heavy, with a deep depression behind, at 

 the farther side of which the crest takes its rise. The facial region 

 is shorter than in G. g. matschie and more prominent, and the rostrum 

 anteriorly is broader. The ascending ramus of the mandible is much 

 wider, but the mandible itself is no longer. The broad bony expansion 

 at rear of the skull overhangs the occipital region, and is not on the 

 same plane which is a characteristic feature of the skull of G. g. 

 matschie. Unfortunately the palatal region and pterygoid fossa are gone. 



Color. Top of head and back of neck reddish, the hairs being 

 blackish with red tips; sides of neck behind, the hairs tipped with 

 yellowish ; entire rest of back and legs to ankles, light gray ; sides of 

 face, chin and beneath lower jaw, arms from shoulders to wrist, belly, 

 ankles, hands and feet, jet black ; face and chest bare, black. Ex 

 specimen Berlin Museum. 



This is a very large Gorilla, remarkable for the light color upon 

 the back and legs, and the enormous crest, and bony expansion at 

 the occipital region of the skull. The specimen is that of a very old 

 animal, as is proved by the condition of the teeth, which are greatly 

 worn down ; and the great development of the crest, and bony expan- 

 sion at occiput, is another evidence of age. The light color of most 

 of the pelage may also be attributed, at all events in some degree, 

 to the age of the animal, as the pale gray hairs cover a greater expanse 

 than in any other specimen of a Gorilla known. In color it diflfers 

 from G. g. matschie, its probable nearest relative, in the pale gray legs, 

 these being black in the other, and the differences in the skull have 

 been already mentioned. It is however to be expected that many of the 

 variations witnessed in all Gorilla skulls are purely individual, and 

 have little or no real specific value, for like in human skulls, no two 

 crania of these great Apes can be found exactly alike, and it is not 

 unlikely when ample material has been obtained that we shall be 

 obliged to modify considerably our present views as to the number 

 of distinct forms of Gorilla that may exist. 



