AND AFFINITIES OF THE GORILLA. 263 
Of the nature and habits of the last-named species, which offers the nearest approach 
to Man of any known Ape, recent or fossil, but with an interval far exceeding that be- 
tween any two members of the quadrumanous series, I have received many statements 
from individuals resident at or visitors to the Gaboon, and have given careful con- 
sideration to those in print, from which I should select the following as most probable 
or least questionable. 
Gorilla Land is, for the most part, a richly or densely wooded extent of the western 
part of Africa, traversed by the tributaries of the rivers Gaboon, Muni or Danger, 
and Fernandes Vas, extending from the equator to from 10° to 15° northward and 
southward. The port from which the first and most of the subsequent specimens of 
Troglodytes Gorilla have been shipped is the Gaboon. 
The animal is most likely to be met with in the loneliest and darkest parts of the 
forest ; it prefers the densely wooded valleys, but also is found or heard upon the high 
plains and rugged heights at the fruiting of certain shrubs or trees there growing; it is 
usually near, seldom far from, a plentiful supply of water. 
Among the trees which afford sustenance to the Gorillas have been specified the Palm- 
nut (Elq@is guineensis), of which the fruit and upper part of the stipe, called the “‘ cabbage,”’ 
are eaten by them, the Papaw-tree (Carica papaya), the Banana (Musa sapientum), and 
another new species (Musa paradisiaca), the Amomum Afzelii, and Amomum grandiflorum. 
The wild sugar-canes (Arundo saccharifera), growing near deserted huts or villages of 
the natives, attract the Gorillas. The succulent white parts of pine-apple leaves,—various 
wild forest berries, especially the kinds that grow on low bushes, —a pulpy pear-shaped 
subacid fruit, growing close to the ground, called the ‘Tondo’ by the natives,—the pith 
of some trees,—a kind of nut with a very hard shell, to break which requires the strength 
of jaw and teeth which is found in both sexes,—such fruits and other productions of the 
vegetable kingdom constitute the staple food of the Gorilla. The molar teeth, which 
alone truly indicate the diet of an animal, accord with the statements as to the frugi- 
vorous character of this great Ape; but they also sufficiently answer to an omnivorous 
habit to suggest that a certain proportion of animal matter, such as the eggs and callow 
brood of birds, might not be unacceptable. 
Mr.du Chaillu, however, states that he examined the stomachs of the Gorillas killed by 
himself and his hunters, and ‘‘ never found traces there of aught but berries, pine-apple 
leaves, and other vegetable matter'.’”” The Gorilla is a huge feeder, as its vast paunch, 
protruding when it stands upright, shows ; ‘‘and indeed,” as Mr. du Chaillu well remarks, 
“its great frame and enormous muscular development could not be supported on little 
food’.” The same traveller refers to this necessity for abundance of the appropriate 
vegetable food the restless and nomadic habits of the Gorilla, ‘‘ wandering from place 
to place, and scarce ever found for two days together in the same neighbourhood ’®.”’ 
The young and the females sleep in trees; the heavier and more bulky males are 
‘ «Explorations and Adventures in Equatorial Africa,’ 8yo, 1861, p. 348. 2 Thid. 3 Ibid. 
