594 MAMMALIA. 



was obtained of the Gorilla. Until within a few years, the 

 history of this monstrons inhabitant of Equatorial Africa was 

 surrounded by mysteries and contradictions without niunber ; the 

 specimens that had been recently received in Europe and America 

 gave rise to great discussions. In 1864, a Frenchman by birth, 

 claiming American citizenship, M. Paul du Chaillu, son of a 

 merchant established at the Gaboon, published reports full of 

 interest regarding these extraordinarj' animals. 



Eeturning to Africa, M . du Chaillu made some new observa- 

 tions on this ferocjjous Quadrumana, which he has embodied in 

 a second work, published in 1867. 



Before going further, however, we will relate in a few words 

 the history of the discovery of this monstrous Monkej\ 



In the "Periplus, or Yoyage of Hanno the Carthaginian," an 

 interesting jDassage, which appears to refer to this species of 

 Monkey, is found. The following is the translation given by 

 Bishop' Maltby: — 



"The third day, having set sail, and passed the fiery current, 

 we came to the bay called the Southern Horn. In it was an 

 island, in which Avas a lake, and in it another island full of 

 savages, the majority of whom were women, whose bodies were 

 covered with hair, and which oiu- interpreter called Gorillas. 

 We pursued these, but could not capture any men ; all escaped 

 by climbing up the precipices ; but we took three women (females), 

 who bit and scratched those who overcame them, and whom they 

 would not follow. Having killed them, they were flayed, and 

 we brought their skins to Carthage." 



This description could only apply to great animals similar to 

 Man in size and shape — either to Gorillas, or Chimpanzees some- 

 what advanced in affe. 



A celebrated traveller, Andrew Battel, who, towards the end 

 of the sixteenth century, visited tropical Africa, mentions two 

 different species of large Monkey, the Pongo and the Engeco. 

 The first was the Gorilla or Orang, while the second was the 

 Nshiego, or Chimpanzee of M. du Chaillu. 



The first authentic information regarding the Gorilla was 

 given in a letter from Doctor Savage, dated from the River 

 Gaboon, 24th April, 1847, accompanied by a sketch of a 

 cranium, which was intended to be submitted to the inspection 



