6 WILD BEASTS OF THE WORLD 



walks on its hind legs* though its normal gait, like that of the other, 

 is on all fours, with the ends of the fingers similarly bent under. The 

 habit of beating the breast, so characteristic of the Gorilla, is already found 

 in young animals, as is so commonly the case with animal peculiarities 

 of behaviour — thus, the young peacock, spreads his little tail when he is 

 only of the size of a partridge. 



As in the case of the Chimpanzee, there is much local variation in 

 Gorillas, and several races and sub-species have been named and de- 

 scribed, though it is very doubtful if any of these possess full specific 

 value. 



The Gorilla inhabits part of the same region as the Chimpanzee, 

 the great. forest region of West Equatorial Africa; but its, range is not 

 nearly so extensive, being confined to the district between the Cameroons 

 and the/ Congo, and it is very rarely found near the coast. : :.: . 



It is a thoroughly forest-haunting animal, but, although a good 

 climber, lives a good deal on the ground* and often, makes its bed 

 there, by breaking down and piling up stalks of plants into a mass 

 about a foot thick. Its food is mainly vegetable, but it is said to be 

 more carnivorous in its tastes than the Chimpanzee; Like that animal, 

 it will raid the cultivated patches of the natives. Gorillas also live in 

 smaller troops than Chimpanzees — a male, female, and one or two 

 young animals being all that are usually found together. The head 

 of the family is said to sleep at the foot of a tree, while the weaker 

 members of it sleep in a nest made in the branches ; for this species 

 also builds nests in trees. 



The old male Gorilla is, of course, a match for practically any animal, 

 on account of his gigantic strength and huge teeth ; but he appears to 

 avoid an encounter with man, although a terrible adversary when 

 wounded. Old accounts, indeed, say otherwise, and it is quite pos- 

 sible that solitary males, such as are found among most animals, may 

 become fierce and dangerous ; for it is a well-known fact that the 

 monkey tribe in general become morose and spiteful with advancing 

 years, as indeed do a great number of animals, especially of the male 

 sex, from grouse to men ! 



