WILD ANIMALS IN CAPTIVITY 



show an amount of intelligence in the larger apes that 

 will, by many, be scarcely believed. That these brutes 

 have a quick mode of displaying either their love or their 

 anger no one can doubt, and upon seeing, for the first time, 

 two of them of opposite sexes brought within sight of each 

 other it is most interesting to note the affectionate manner 

 of meeting ; it is singular and worthy of record. The fact 

 that there is apparently little in other lovers of which to 

 make choice, may perhaps lead us to say it is love at " first 

 sight;" and this appears certainly to be the case, for there 

 can be but little difference in their personal appearance, 

 since the colour of the hair, general complexion, and form 

 of features are wonderfully alike in all this species, when 

 looked at from a human being's point of view. 



Moreover, a person who, by long experience and frequent 

 opportunity of watching, is able to imitate the sounds of 

 their voices and their gesticulations can encourage them 

 to recognize and respond to him when he endeavours to 

 attract their attention, thus showing that their language 

 is very limited and upon a level with that of most other 

 animals, and probably quite incapable of any advance or 

 improvement. 



Their utterings consist simply of sounds expressive 

 of either pain, fear, pleasure, or anger, and by the imita- 

 tion of these the animal is influenced immediately. It is 

 therefore easily ascertained upon the introduction of the 

 individuals whether it is likely to be one of friendship or 

 otherwise, by the voice and manner. This was singularly 

 illustrated upon the occasion about to be narrated. 



The antics of a healthy chimpanzee are certainly ex- 

 tremely remarkable. Full of drollery and lively mischief, 

 he is playful and determined in sport, and carries on his 

 frolics with great energy; jumping about, slapping the 

 ground, drumming with all fours, climbing, tumbling, roll- 



136 



