46 
building habit and in the mode of forming its nest, is exceed- 
ingly interesting; while, on the other hand, the activity of 
this ape, and its tendency to bite, are particulars in which it 
rather resembles the Gibbons. In extent of geographical 
range, again, the Chimpanzees—which are found from Sierra 
Leone to Congo—remind one of the Gibbons, rather than 
of either of the other man-like apes; and it seems not 
unlikely that, as is the case with the Gibbons, there may be 
several species spread over the geographical area of the 
genus. 
The same excellent observer, from whom I have borrowed 
the preceding account of the habits of the adult Chimpanzee, 
published, fifteen years ago,* an account of the Gorrxa, 
which has, in its most essential points, been confirmed by 
subsequent observers, and to which so very little has really 
been added, that in justice to Dr. Savage I give it almost 
in full. 
“Tt should be borne in mind that my account is based 
upon the statements of the aborigines of that region (the 
Gaboon). In this connection, it may also be proper for me 
to remark, that having been a missionary resident for several 
years, studying, from habitual intercourse, the African mind 
and character, I felt myself prepared to discriminate and 
decide upon the probability of their statements. Besides, 
being familiar with the history and habits of its interest- 
ing congener (Trog. niger, Geoff.), I was able to separate their 
accounts of the two animals, which, having the same locality 
and a similarity of habit, are confounded in the minds of the 
mass, especially as but few—such as traders to the interior 
and huntsmen—have ever seen the animal in question. 
The tribe from which our knowledge of the animal is 
derived, and whose territory forms its habitat, is the Mpongwe, 
occupying both banks of the River Gaboon, from its mouth 
to some fifty or sixty miles upward..... 
* Notice of the external characters and habits of Troglodytes Gorilla. 
Boston Journal of Natural History, 1847. 
