THE GORILLA. 



which the Gorilbi is the chief, are known from the otlicr nienibei*s of the group, 

 because they do not possess either tails or pouches in their cheeks. 



The Gorilla is found in the Western parts of Africa in the Gaboon district ; and 

 on account of his very great size, strength, and savage temper, is much feared by 

 the natives. 



Concealed among the thick branches of the forest trees, the Gorilla, itself 

 imseen, watches the approach of the unsuspecting negro. Shoidd he pass under 

 the tree, woe betide him ; for the Gorilla lets down its terrible hind foot, grasps 

 its victim roimd the throat, lifts him from the earth, and finally drops him on the 

 ground, dead. The young reader will not fail to obserAC that the hiiul-foot of 

 this fearful Ape is remarkably large and strong, and perfectly capable of performing 

 this cruel feat. 



Very fortunately for the human inhabitants of the same country, the Gorilla is 

 a solitary animal, and docs not unite in society like other apes and monkeys. 

 There is a very well stuffed specimen of this animal in the British Museum, which 

 the reader will do well to see, as also to examine its skeleton which is placed in 

 an adjoining compartment. 



The Gorilla is so spiteful and fierce that the natives dread it more than the 

 Lion aiul have never even attempted to catch a full grown animal Once or 

 twice, the young Gorillas have been captured, in spite of the furious resistance 

 which is made by their male friends ; but from some reason they have always 

 died in a very short time. 



Cunning as is the Gorilla, and ingenious in some things to a striking degree, 

 its intelligence is but limited, and the animal exhibits such unexpected instances 

 of fatuity, that it well shows the distinction between cunning and wisdom, and 

 proves itself to be but an animal, and nothing more. 



If it finds the remnant of a fire which has been relinquished by the persons 

 who kindled it, the Gorilla is greatly cliMrmcd with flic novel sensation produced 

 by artificial warmth, and sits by the briglit wonder with much satisfaction. As 

 the fire fails, and the glowing brands sink into white ashes, the animal draws 

 closer to the expiring embers, and does not leave them until all heat has left the 

 spot. But it never thinks of keeping up the fire by placing fresh fuel upon it, 

 and does not leani to imitate that action, which it may often have seen performed 

 by the hunters who kindled the fire, and kept it well supplied with fuel during 

 the night. It is most providential that the beast is devoid of this faculty, for, 

 with the usual perseverance of the monkey race in such cases, it would probably 

 continue to he;ip fuel until tlie forest itself was ablaze. 



It is said also, that when the Gorilla makes an incursion into a sugar plantation, 

 it has sufficient sense to bite off" a number of the canes, and to twist them into a 



