46 SEAECH FOn THE GORILLA AND THE IPL Chap. IIL 



now be seen mounted in the collection of the British 

 Museum.* 



My first journey to the gorilla district having been 

 unsuccessful in its main object, namely, the capture 

 of a gorilla (although I obtained several skins and 

 skeletons), I resolved to pay it a second visit. The 

 16th of June saw me again on my way thither. 



On the 17th I diverged from my route to visit 

 my friend Mburu Shara, a negro chief, whose vil- 

 lage was situated on the right or eastern bank of 

 the Fernand Yaz, just opposite to the landing-place 

 of Aniambie. Mburu Shara was a 3'ounger man 

 than African chiefs usually are, but he was one of 

 the finest fellows in the country, and well-disposed 

 towards the white man. I spent three most delightful 

 days at his place, which I had never before visited. 

 Soon after I landed, the villagers came forth, laid 

 mats at my feet, and piled up their presents of 

 plantains ; a fat goat was given to me, and my 



* The specimen of PlioUdotus Africaniis on •uhicli the describer of the 

 species founds his measurements, and the skull of which he figured, I have 

 ascertained, by my own examination in the British Museum, is not the 

 one said to be received from the Niger, but the specimen which I sent. 

 The Niger specimen is very much smaller. I mention this, because 

 Dr. Gray, doubtless through inadvertency, has omitted to mention my 

 name at all in connection with the species. This omission is im^xirtant 

 only from the circumstance that the locality of the animal, " Fernand 

 Vaz," is also left out; the localities and ranges of species being always 

 considered, and very rightly, important facts in zoological science. I 

 presume there is a possibility of a mistake in the locality of the Niger 

 specimen ; however, I may as well mention that I know that a third speci- 

 men of the ipi was taken by the natives whilst I was at the Fernand Vaz, 

 exactly the size of the one described as coming from the Niger : but the 

 natives asking too high a price for it, I would not purchase it, and it came 

 into the possession of Captain Holder, the master of the Cambria, a vessel 

 trading to Bristol ; where the specimen is at present I do not know, but it 

 may possibly be the one Dr. Gray purchased for the British Museiim. 



