OF WILD ANIMALS 215 



Dr. Potter holds that of wild animals the tiger, owing to 

 its treachery and ferocity, is the most difficult wild animal to 

 train; the lion is the most reliable, and the most stupid of all 

 animals is the pig. 



The Taming of Boma. A keeper for a short time in our 

 place, named D'Osta, once did a very neat piece of work in 

 taming a savage and intractable chimpanzee. When Boma 

 came to us, fresh from the French Congo, he was savage and 

 afraid. He retreated to the highest resting-place of his cage, 

 came down only at night for his meals, and would make no 

 compromise. We believed that he had been fearfully abused 

 by his former owners, and through mistreatment had acquired 

 both fear and hatred of all men. 



After the lapse of several months with Boma on that basis, 

 the situation grew tiresome and intolerable. So D'Osta said: 



"I must tame that animal, and teach him not to be afraid 

 of us." 



He introduced a roomy shifting cage into Boma's compart- 

 ment, fixed the drop door, and for many days served Boma's 

 food and water in that cage only. For two weeks the ape 

 eluded capture, but eventually the keeper caught him. At 

 first Boma's rage and fear were boundless; but presently the 

 idea dawned upon his mind that he was not to be killed im- 

 mediately. D'Osta handed him excellent food and water, 

 twice a day, spoke to him soothingly, and otherwise let him 

 alone. Slowly Boma's manner changed. He learned that he 

 was not to be hurt, nor even annoyed. Confidence in the men 

 about him began to come to him. His first signs of friendliness 

 were promptly met and cultivated. 



At the end of ten days, D'Osta opened the sliding door, 

 and Boma walked out, a wiser and better ape. His bad temper 

 and his fears were gone. He trusted his keeper, and cheerfully 

 obeyed him. Strangest of all, he even suffered D'Osta to put 

 a collar upon him, and chain him to the front bars to curb 

 his too great playfulness while his cage was being cleaned. 



