CHAP. IV] THE GENERAL ANATOMY OF GORILLA 159 



as reminiscent of climbing habits : at least this is suggested 

 by the distribution of " syndactylism " in the Mammalia. The 

 hair is long with a woolly undergrowth 1 . In young specimens 

 it covers all parts save the face and certain portions of the 

 hands and feet. Thus the palm and sole are entirely glabrous. 

 Hairs are numerous on the back of the hand. On the thumb, 

 they are found on the back of the metacarpal bone, but not 

 beyond this. On the other digits, hairs are usually found on 

 the back of the proximal phalanx, and in older specimens on 

 the terminal phalanx, but not intermediately. In the foot, the 

 hairs of the dorsal aspect are continued as far as the dorsum of 

 the first or proximal phalanx of the great toe (hallux). On the 

 remaining toes, the back of the proximal phalanx bears a 

 few hairs, while the rest of the digit is quite glabrous in young 

 individuals. Older examples may have hairs very scantily disposed 

 on the terminal phalanx, but none on the second phalanx. The hairs 

 are said to be implanted in groups of five on the head and torso, 

 and herein the Gorilla is contrasted with the Chimpanzee. 



The colour of the hair is of a " dusty " grey tint, for each hair 

 is " banded," the root and tip being grey with an intervening zone 

 of black. Thus again the Gorilla differs from the Chimpanzee 

 (with its distinctly black hair relieved by local patches of white). 

 At the same time, the "banded " hair of the Gorilla suggests that 

 of the Cynocephalous monkeys, or of the Mangabeys ; moreover the 

 resemblance is confirmed by the presence (in many Gorillas) 

 of a patch of reddish hair on the crown. The elongated face 

 provides a further suggestion of similarity to the Baboons 

 (Cynocephali). 



The head is of great size, on account of the enormous jaws 

 and the large masses of muscle developed in relation to these. 

 The profile (Fig. 101) shews almost complete absence of any 

 nasal projection, though the nostrils are bounded by a remarkably 

 thickened elevation. This elevation, the " short " upper lip, and 

 the small size of the ear, constitute points of distinction from the 

 Chimpanzee, as may be seen from the illustration (Fig. 102). It is 

 perhaps noteworthy, that the largest and most powerful ape should 

 possess ears so reduced in size. (The Orang-utan when compared 

 1 Forbes in Allen's Naturalist's Handbook, Monkeys, Vol. n. 



