674 ON A CHIMPANZEE IN THE SOCIETY'S GARDENS. [Juue 16, 



face or cheeks, is tolerably loug and full, forming what may be con- 

 sidered rather bushy whiskers ; whereas the figure before you (Plate 

 XLI.) clearly shows the front, top, and sides of the head and face to be 

 nearly naked, having only a few short hairs on the head, quite 

 destitute of any signs of the parting so very conspicuous in the 

 Chimpanzee. Another striking difference may be noticed in the size 

 and form of the head and ears. Out of the number of Chimpanzees 

 I have seen and examined, both old and young, none have possessed 

 the large flat ears so conspicuous in this individual. The form of the 

 head, the expression of the face, the expanded nostrils, the thicker 

 lips, especially the lower lip, together with the more elevated skull, 

 cannot fail to distinguish this animal from the Chimpanzee. There 

 are other extei'nal characters that I pass over, as they require to be 

 described anatomically. Again the habits of this animal differ 

 entirely from those of the well-known or Common Chimpanzee. She 

 has always shown a disposition to live upon animal food. Soon after 

 her arrival, I found she would kill and eat small birds, seizing them by 

 the neck, she would bite off the head and eat the bird — skin, featliers, 

 and all ; for some months she killed and ate a small pigeon every 

 night. After a time we supplied her with cooked mutton and beef- 

 tea ; upon this food she has done well. I have never found any 

 ordinary Chimpanzee that would eat any kind of flesh. 



Another singular habit was the producing pellets or " quids," 

 resembling the castings thrown up by Raptorial birds ; I have here 

 a few of them, taken from her mouth. They are composed of feathers 

 and other indigestible substances, that had been taken with her 

 food. Moreover she is an expert rat-catcher, and has caught and 

 killed many rats that had entered her cage during the night. Her 

 intelligence is far above that of the ordinary Chimpanzee. With but 

 little trouble she can be taught to do many things that require the 

 exercise of considerable thought and understanding : she recognizes 

 those who have made her acquaintance, and pays marked attention 

 to men of colour, by uttering a loud cry of bon, hun, bun. She is 

 never tired of romping and playing, and is generally in a good temper. 



1 have no doubt but that M. du Chaillu obtained sj)ecimens of this 

 animal ; for I perfectly recollect seeing in his possession some 

 damaged skins the heads of which were quite bald, that is destitute 

 of hair ; but his statements were so vague that it was impossible to 

 say to what species he attached the different names he used. I am 

 therefore, I think, justified in regarding the animal in question as 

 distinct from the well-known or Common Chimpanzee ; and as the 

 term Troglodytes calvus implies a bald-headed animal it appears to 

 me that the animal under consideration is fully entitled to its 

 application. 



Since writing the above I have examined the specimens in the 

 British Museum obtained from M. du Chaillu, and, notwithstanding 

 the shrivelled condition of the face and ears, I am perfectly satisfied 

 of the identity of this specimen with the animal under consideration. 



Another consideration is, however, forced upon me, with reference 

 to this subject, and, to give an illustration, I may ask you for a 



