688 



ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN. 



and encased the leg in a plaster-of-Paris band- 

 age, with a long splint, to secure perfect 

 rigidity. Should the fracture be located within 

 the capsular ligament, there is a possibility that 

 the knitting of the ends of the bones may result 

 in a change of the fluid and a consequent per- 

 manent stiffness of the leg. A similar accident 

 liappened to a large African monkey, but with a 

 perfect recovery and entire use of the limb, 

 the animal living five years after the splint was 

 removed. 



So many and varied are the cases now on rec- 

 ord, that Dr. Blair believes that an operation 

 for the displacement of a vertebra of some rep- 

 tile alone is required to complete the entire round 

 of possible accidents. 



* * * 



In July we received a chimpanzee represent- 

 ing the species known as Pan sclnveinfurthi, 

 jirobably about one year old, and the smallest that 

 we have ever seen. As shown by the picture of the 

 little fellow in the scales, he weighs only thir- 

 teen and one-quarter pounds — not a great deal 

 more than the average newly-born human infant. 

 As a companion for "Bald}'," the present repre- 

 sentative of the Genus J'an, he would have fitted 

 nicely into the order of things at the Primate 

 House; but "Baldy's" muscular development has 

 been so rapid that he has long ago passed tiie age 

 of succoring iiis orphan and disconsolate broth- 

 ers. Even tlie largest orangs do not relish a frolic 

 with "Baldy," and lately Keeper Riley has had 

 several verj' strenuous arguments with this very 

 turbulent youngster, — not always emerging 

 from the encounter with all of the glory. On 

 Friday, August 12, there occurred between 

 "Baldy" and Keeper Riley a regular battle for 

 the supremacy of the Primate House, and we 

 are glad to be able to report that the keeper still 

 remains master of the situation. As the placid 

 disposition of the orangs is more suited to hover- 

 ing infants, the new baby has one of the orangs 

 as a companion, and is quite happy with 



"Mimi." 



* * * 



In spite of "Baldy's" perversity, and decided 

 inclination toward having his own way, he still 

 evinces, in a sprightly and cheerful manner, an 

 aptitude for delineating many of the accomplish- 

 ments of his human associates. So aptly has he 

 acquired some of them that the Director and 

 Mr. Ditmars decided that he should display his 

 intelligence in public. Each afternoon, at 4.15 

 o'clock, "Bald}'" gravely sits at a table, upon 

 a raised platform at the south end of Baird 

 Court, and with great deliberation eats his 

 luncheon. There has been no attempt to garb 



the exhibition with any disjilay that would de- 

 prive it of its ape-like character, other than to 

 use a table, chair and eating utensils. 



The ape leaves the Primate House with his 

 keeper, and walks erect to the platform, ascend- 

 ing the stairs and seating himself at the table, 

 unaided. He uses either fork or spoon, with 

 commendable skill ; devours an ice-cream cone 

 — for which he has a decided fondness — and 

 drinks a mixture of milk and eggs from a bot- 

 tle, which he raises with a great flourish. An 

 interesting element of the entertainment is 

 "Baldy's" evident pleasure in performing in 

 |)ublic. The size of the audience is in no way 

 disconcerting. Until the accident of the frac- 

 tured leg, his companion liad been the injured 

 orang-utan. 



* * * 



Violent exceptions to all forms of surgery, es- 

 pecially dentistry, are no more frequent among 

 men than among animals. Excepting the great 

 apes, who are always the best of patients, the 

 practice of dentistry with certain groups, is a 

 trying and dangerous science. As most animals 

 make use of their teeth and claws as weapons 

 of offense and defense, working around the head 

 of a strong animal — even though the feet may 

 be rendered helpless — is decidedly hazardous. 

 Tales are frequently told of the abnormal de- 

 velopment of teeth, tusks and mandibles that 

 seem incredible, and j'et actual observation of 

 singular cases in the Park would convince the 

 skeptical of their possibilitj', and that with care 

 and skill, relief can always be given. A golden 

 agouti received early this year, was so emaciated 

 that the keepers believed it had been starved, 

 and promptly gave it individual attention and 

 an abundance of food. They were soon quite 

 certain that it ate the food, but that it remained 

 weak and thin. The case was so singular that 

 a watch was kejit, in order that the actual process 

 of eating could be noted. After some time had 

 elapsed, the keepers detected flecks of blood on 

 the animal's jaws and referred the matter to Dr. 

 Blair. The agouti was captured, and upon 

 opening the mouth, the secret was instantlj' 

 solved. The lower incisors had grown so long 

 that they had completely passed the upper ones 

 and were cutting into the roof of the mouth. 

 Carefully placing a thin piece of wood lateral- 

 ly between the jaws, the doctor inserted his 

 bone forceps, cutting the two teeth back to their 

 original chisel-lik._> shape. After cleansing the 

 wounds, the agouti was liberated, and inimedi- 



