4 io PRIMATES-APES AND LEMURS 



exhibited in the Zoological Gardens in London was observed re- 

 peatedly to do so during its fits of passion. In its search for the 

 berries and other fruits and roots upon which it feeds, the Gorilla 

 wanders through the forest, walking partly on the bent hand, as 

 does the chimpanzee, though it is stated that the Gorilla uses 

 the palm and not the back of the hand, as is the habit of the 

 chimpanzee. The huge Ape evinces no desire to run away 

 when he sees the approach of a human enemy, but, according 

 to Dr. Savage, " when the male is first seen, he gives a terrific 

 yell, that resounds far and wide through the forest, something 

 like Kh-ah ! Kh-ah ! prolonged and shrill." 



In making an attack the Gorilla rises to an almost erect attitude, 

 when, if adult, he reaches a height of some five feet, and is a most 

 formidable adversary. With perfectly black skin and coat, a 

 rather bullet-shaped head, small closely applied ears, a large mouth 

 with sharp shining teeth, and a most evil expression of face, the 

 Gorilla presents, indeed, an appalling appearance of savagery; 

 the extraordinarily broad shoulders, deep chest, and enormously 

 muscular arms and hands heightening the impression of tremendous 

 brute force. Small wonder, therefore, that the natives hold this 

 veritable wild man of the woods in peculiar superstitious dread 

 and fear, seeing in his savage nature enshrined the spirits of 

 departed warriors. 1 



The fossil remains of Apes are known from the Miocene strata 

 of France, and have been referred to two genera, Pliopithecus, 

 which appears to be closely related to the modern gibbons, and 

 Dryopithecus, a more man-like form, which seems to have been 

 as large as a chimpanzee, and probably the Miocene ancestor 

 of that animal. The most famous fossil Anthropoid is the Pithe- 

 canthropus erectus, the partial remains of which were discovered 

 by Monsieur Dubois in the island of Java, in andesite tufa of 

 Pliocene, or at least Pleistocene age. Much wordy warfare has 

 taken place over these regrettably incomplete remains of an 

 animal which was undoubtedly of a high-grade anthropoid 

 character. 



1 The above brief outline of the Apes and Monkeys has been compiled from the 

 writings of Dr. P. Martin Duncan, F.R.S., Dr. J. Murie, and Prof. F. E. Beddard. 



