362 BACKBONED ANIMALS. 



and forming nests of branches in the crotches near the 

 ground. They are very intelligent, easily domesticated, 

 and often brought to this country and Europe. 



FIG. 3^0. a, hand, , foot of chimpanzee. (After Vogt.) c, hand, d, foot 



of man. 



The gorilla (Troglodytes) (Fig. 379) is the largest and 

 most powerful of the order, though perhaps ranking with 

 the chimpanzee as regards its position in the scale of life. 

 They are also found in western Africa, and have a less ex- 

 tended range, being found only between the rivers Came- 

 roons and Congo, in the mountains of Guinea. Their hab- 

 its are similar to those of the chimpanzee, though living in 

 small communities, generally led by a single male. They 

 erect uncovered platforms in the trees upon which to rest, 

 deserting them during the day, and forming others at night. 

 They attain a height of five feet six inches, and a weight 

 of two hundred pounds. The color of the fur is a black- 

 ish dun, turning gray with age. The skin is black, the 

 ridges of the forehead (Fig. 381) prominent, the nose flat, 

 lips and chin protruding, and the expression of the face 

 demoniacal. The limbs are enormously powerful, and the 

 first joints of all the fingers and three of the toes are con- 

 nected by a strong web. While the chimpanzee resembles 

 man in the characteristics given, the gorilla is more human 

 in the proportions of the leg to the body and of the foot 



