12 



THE CHIMPANSEE. 



Closely connected with the preceding animal is the large black ape 

 which is now well known by the name of Chimpansee. 



This creature is found in the same parts of Western Africa as the 

 Gorilla, being very common near the Gaboon. It ranges over a consid- 

 erable space of country, inhabiting a belt of land some ten or more de- 

 grees north and south of the torrid zone. 



Tlie title niger, or "black," sufficiently indicates the color of the 



hair which envel- 

 ops the body and 

 limbs of the Chim- 

 pansee. The tint 

 of the hair is al- 

 most precisely the 

 same as that of 

 the gorilla, being 

 nearly entirely 

 black, the excep- 

 tion being a few 

 whiter hairs scat- 

 tered thinly over 

 the muzzle. 



It is a remark- 

 able fact that the 

 Chimpansees are 

 partly ground- 

 lings, and are not 

 accustomed to ha- 

 bitual residence 

 among branches 

 of trees. Al- 

 though these apes 

 do not avail them- 

 selves of the pro- 

 tection which would be afforded by a loftier habitation, yet they are 

 individually so strong, and collectively so formidable, that they dwell 

 in security, unharmed even by the lion, leopard, or other members of 

 the cat tribes, which are so dreaded by the monkey tribes generally. 



The food of these creatures appears to be almost entirely of a vegeta- 

 ble nature, and they are very unprofitable neighbors to any one who 

 has the misfortune to raise crops of rice, or to plant bananas, plantains, 

 or papaws, within an easy journey of a Chimpansee settlement. As is 

 the case with many of the monkey tribes, the animal will eat food of 

 a mixed character when it is living in a domesticated state. 



Many specimens have been brought to Europe, and some to Eng- 



The Chimpansee {Troglodytes niger). 



