28 THE GORILLA. 



which lines the upper parts of the fingers in the adult. 

 The hair of the legs was greyish-black, becoming 

 blacker as it reached the ankles, the feet being covered 

 with black hair. 



" When I had the little fellow safely locked in his 

 cage, I ventured a few encouraging words to him. He 

 stood in the farthest corner, but as I approached, 

 bellowed and made a precipitate rush at me, and 

 though I retreated as quickly as I could, succeeded in 

 catching my trousers, which he grasped with one of 

 his feet and tore, retreating immediately to the corner 

 farthest away. This taught me caution for the present, 

 though I had hopes still of being able to tame him. 



" He sat in his corner looking wickedly out of 

 his grey eyes, and I never saw a more morose 

 or more ill-tempered face than had this little 

 beast. 



" The first thing was, of course, to attend to the 

 wants of my captive. I sent for some of the forest 

 berries, which these animals are known to prefer, and 

 placed these and a cup of water within his reach. 



" He was exceedingly shy, and would neither cat nor 

 drink till I had removed to a considerable distance. 



" The second day found Joe, as I had named him, 

 fiercer than the first. He rushed savagely at any one 

 who stood even for a moment near his cage, and 

 seemed ready to tear us all to pieces. I threw him 



