AND AFFINITIES OF THE GORILL\. 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 Pernandes 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 {El(Eis 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 succulentwhite 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,' 8vo, 1861, p. 348. ' Ibid. ' Ibid. 



