FAMOUS CHIMPANZEES 131 



times waddle round the cage in this manner, 

 and get quite exhausted, but in many cases 

 the drill will not let go his hold, especially 

 if anyone is teasing him. 



I watched Keeper Reilly one day rubbing 

 the chimpanzees with oil in the early morn- 

 ing. Their skin becomes so dry owing to the 

 steam heat that this proceeding is not only a 

 great relief to them but a necessity; and the 

 way in which each chimpanzee went through 

 the operation was a great study. 



Polly was the first one and, taking ad- 

 vantage as she always does of any excuse for 

 excitement, straightway began to scream. The 

 oil was put on a little stove to warm and the 

 keeper seemed to think she would not wait 

 for it, but I am inclined to think that she 

 was jealous because he was talking to me, 

 for I have never yet tried to hold any con- 

 versation with either of the keepers without 

 Polly starting and keeping up a most trying 

 monotonous moaning noise, or else screaming 

 and gradually working herself up into a pas- 

 sion. 



