22 



THE CHIMPANZEE. 



are not accustomed to habitual residence among the branches of trees. Although these 

 apes do not avail themselves of the protection 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. Even the elephant yields 

 to these active and ferocious animals, and leaves them undisturbed. Yet a Chimpanzee 

 would not dare to meet a panther in single combat, and depends for safety upon the 

 assistance that would be afforded by its companions. This is shown by a curious and 

 rather absurd incident that occurred on board a ship where a young and docile 

 Chimpanzee suddenly came in sight of a caged panther, which had taken voyage in the 

 same vessel. 



The unexpected sight of the panther entirely overcame his feelings, and with a 

 fearful yell he dashed along the deck, knocking over sundry of the crew in his passage. 

 He then dived into the folds of a sail which was lying on deck, covered himself up 

 with the sail-cloth, and was in such an agony of terror, that he could not be induced 

 to come out of his retreat for a long time. 



His fright was not groundless, for the panther was as much excited as the ape, only 

 with eager desire, and not with fear. It paced its cage for hours afterwards, and con- 

 tinued to watch restlessly, much as a cat may be seen to watch the crevice through 

 which a mouse has made good its escape. 



There are also strange reports, which are still credited, that the Chimpanzees carry 

 off negresses, and detain them in the woods for years, sometimes until they are re- 

 leased by death from their terrible captivity. 



The food of these creatures appears to be almost entirely of a vegetable 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 papaus, within an easy journey of a Chimpanzee 

 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 England ; but this 

 insular climate seems to have a more deleterious effect on the constitution of this ape 

 than even on that of the other Quadrumana. In this country, our worst, most insidious, 

 and most irresistible malady fastens upon the apes with relentless hand. The lungs of 

 these creatures are accustomed to the burning suns which heat and rarefy the air of 

 the tropical climates, and are peculiarly sensitive to cold and damp. Few members 

 of this family live to any length of years, after they have once crossed the Channel. 

 They are, after awhile, seized with a short hacking cough, the sure sign that con- 

 sumption has begun that work which it is so sure to accomplish. 



It may be, that the atmosphere of so small an island as England, is loaded with 

 marine and saline exhalations which prove too irritative to the lungs of the ape. Be 

 this as it may, the free use of food which supplies a large amount of carbon, is the 

 best preventive of this lethal ailment. Cod liver oil will be found very efficacious ; 

 and I know of one successful cure, where the animal was treated to a glass of wine 

 daily. It seems to supply, internally, the heat principle, which is poured in fiery 

 vehemence from the vertical sun of the tropics, and which our temperate zones can only 

 afford in moderate proportions. 



A monkey, when afflicted with this disease, is a truly pitiful sight. The poor animal 

 sits in such a woeful attitude, coughing at intervals, and putting its hands to its chest 

 in a way terribly human. And it looks so mournfully and reproachfully out of its 

 dark brown eyes, just as if it were rebuking the spectator for his part in bringing it 

 from its native land, where it was happy among its friends, to die a solitary death of 

 cold and consumption, behind the bars of its prison. 



The climate of France seems to be better suited to these animals than that of 

 England. 



In the Jardin des Plantes, in Paris, there was a remarkably fine specimen of the 

 Chimpanzee. Black, sleek, and glossy, he was facile princeps in the establishment 

 and none dared to dispute his authority. 



He was active enough, and displayed very great strength, and some agility, as he 



