THE GORILLA 13 



men, all mankind is classed in a single species. In spite of 

 the vast differences in intellect between the native Australian 

 — not yet out of the stone age — -and a Caucasian philosopher, 

 both belong to Homo sapiens, and between them there is not 

 even a subspecific difference. 



Even if the great apes could talk as well as the Veddahs of 

 Ceylon, whose vocabulary consists of only about two hundred 

 words, their anatomical differences from the genus Homo would 

 separate them quite as widely as they now are. The segrega- 

 tion of a species requires a structural difference that is constant. 



The classification of the species and alleged species of 

 gorillas, chimpanzees, and orang-utans is in a highly unset- 

 tled condition. Of the scientists who have studied these 

 genera with the most care and pains, no two agree, either on 

 names or number of species. The trouble seems to lie in the 

 lack of study in the haunts of the animals, and lack of mate- 

 rials to study in the museums. Under the circumstances it is 

 useless to attempt to decide between the conflicting authori- 

 ties, and therefore we will adhere to the old names until 

 pending questions are settled. 



The Gorilla 1 is the largest, the ugliest, the most fierce 

 of the apes, and by reason of its shorter arms and longer legs, 

 it is really the nearest to man. It is the only large ape that 

 walks erect without being taught, and that spends a consider- 

 able portion of its life upon the ground. In bulk it is larger 

 than an average man, and its arms and chest are of enormous 

 proportions. 2 The countenance of the Gorilla is very ugly 



1 Go-ril'la gorilla. 



2 The average man of the Anglo-Saxon race is 5 feet 6 inches in height and 

 weighs 160 pounds. 



