560 A JOURNEY UP THE RIVER CONGO. 
the natives of JXi-rnpoko tell strange tales of large man- 
like apes in the interior. The gorilla and chimpanzee, 
which are entirely absent from the Lower Congo, probably 
approach the Upper river above the falls. Certainly 
some large anthropoid ape is known to the Ba-teke and. 
Ba-yansi, for they recognised with loud cries an engraving 
of the gorilla, and said frequently that he was found on 
the north bank of the river. This has been repeatedly 
told me by natives of Bolobo (who in speaking of the 
anthropoid ape used the word “ngina”), by chance 
visitors at Msuata, and also’at Ki-mpoko and other places 
on Stanley Pool, The Baptist missionaries at Léopold- 
ville have also heard of the gorilla from their pupils, who 
pick out his picture at once in Wood’s Natural History. 
I think, therefore, it is probable that the gorilla, chim- 
panzee, or both, or some kindred anthropoid ape, is found ~ 
on the Upper Congo, and is possibly the same as the 
“soko ” of the Lualaba. | 
Periodicticus potto and arctocebus are curious tailless 
lemuroids which are also found about the Lower Congo. 
The former is constantly brought for sale by the natives 
at Banana Point. Parenthetically I might remark that 
there is no better ground for a collector than this latter 
place. Possibly its vicinity is no better provided with 
wild creatures than many other parts of the Congo, but 
here the natives are accustomed to capture and bring for — 
sale everything they can lay their hands on, 
The galago lemur is very common about Stanley Pool, 
and the natives make “ karosses ” out of many of its skins 
joined together, with a fringe of tails. These are very — 
handsome, but the natives resist every temptatiion to sell 
them unfortunately, or they would be very beautiful and 
costly souvenirs to bring home. 
On the Congo the leopard is the best-known and most 
dreaded of the Felide. The natives often call him 
“ oreat lord,’ and when a leopard is killed or caught in a 
trap, a day of public rejoicing is kept in the neighbouring 
villages, during which the slaves are absolved from all 
work. 
