GORILLA. 45 



a gorilla. According, however, to letters from Herr von Koppenfels, referred to by 

 Dr. Hartmaim, that traveller states that up to the early part of 18*74 he had 

 himself shot four gorillas. 



. With regard to gorillas in captivity, the accounts to hand are 



necessarily somewhat meagre ; but, apart altogether from the climatal 

 difficulties of keeping these creatures alive for any length of time in Europe, all 

 authorities seem to be agreed that they are utterly untameable. Du Chaillu states 

 that he had two young gorillas, the first of which was exceedingly ferocious and 

 unmanageable, and both of which came to an untimely end. Herr Lenz, who 

 published in 1878, at Berlin, under the title of Sketches from West Africa, the 

 results of his African experiences, received from the natives of the Gabun a young 

 male gorilla, of which he wrote an account in a letter addressed to and published 

 by Dr. Hartmann. Nothing definite is, however, stated in this account as to the 

 disposition of the animal, attention being mainly directed to the question how to 

 accustom it to a diet such as could be obtained on board ship or in Europe. In 

 spite of this training process, this gorilla died on the voyage to Germany. 



We have already mentioned that the members of the German Loango Expedi- 

 tion received in 1875 a young male gorilla captured by native hunters. From the 

 account of this animal, given in the report of the expedition by Herr Falkenstein, 

 it appears that when first received at the station of Chinxoxo in Loango, the hard- 

 ships which it had undergone in its transit down country had reduced the creature 

 to a deplorable condition. By the aid, however, of a plentiful supply of wild and 

 other fruits, and the milk of a goat, the young animal was gradually restored to 

 something approaching its normal state of health; and preparations were then 

 made for its transport to Berlin. Having been thus gradually accustomed to eat 

 fruits and other food which could be procured on board ship, as well as to be in 

 the company of Europeans, this young gorilla was finally shipped for Berlin. 

 During the voyage it appears that it was never chained up, and it was soon allowed 

 to wander freely about the ship, with but very slight supervision. This animal 

 appears to have been of a gentle disposition, and although self-willed was never 

 malicious. In taking its food it was remarkably well-behaved, helping itself from 

 a plate with its thumb and two fingers ; and even carrying small vessels of water 

 to its mouth, and replacing them undamaged when empty. When larger vessels of 

 liquid were put before it, it would lower its mouth to them and drink by suction. 

 Its regard for personal cleanliness was also noteworthy; and when foreign sub- 

 stances adhered to it, it either brushed them oft' or held out its arms in a manner 

 clearly indicating that it wished them removed. 



When not able to obtain any article it desired, or when otherwise thwarted in 

 its wishes, this young creature had recourse to various clever devices by which its 

 object might be attained. For instance, it is related that " when he felt a desire 

 for the sugar or fruit, which was kept in a cupboard in the eating-room, he would 

 suddenly leave off playing, and go in an opposite direction to the room, only altering 

 his course when he believed that he was no longer observed. He then went straight 

 to the room and cupboard, opened it, and made a quick and dexterous snatch at the 

 sugar-box or fruit-basket, sometimes closing the cupboard door behind him before 



