160 



NATURE S TEACHINGS. 



was a foundation of truth in it, for there really is an ape in 

 that part of Africa which makes huts, or rather roofs, for 

 itself. This animal is the Nshiego Mbouve [Troglodytes calvus). 



This remarkable ape has a curious way of constructing a 

 habitation. Choosing a horizontal branch at some distance 

 from the ground for its resting-place, the animal erects above 

 it a roof composed of fresh branches, each laid over the other 

 in such a way that rain would shoot off them as it does from 

 a thatched roof. M. du Chaillu gives the following account of 

 this habitation : — 



"As we were not in haste, I bade my men cut down the 

 trees which contained the nests of these apes. I found them 

 made precisely as I have before described, and as I have always 



NEST OF NSHIEGO MBOUVE\ 



AFRICAN TREE -HUT. 



found them, of long branches and leaves laid one over the 

 other very carefully and thickly, so as to render the structure 

 capable of shedding water. 



" The branches were fastened to the tree in the middle of 

 the structure by means of wild vines and creepers, which are 

 so abundant in these parts. The projecting limb on which the 

 ape perched was about four feet long. 



" There remains no doubt that these nests are made by the 

 animal to protect it from the nightly rains. When the leaves 

 begin to dry to that degree that the structure no longer sheds 

 water, the owner builds a new shelter, and this happens gene- 

 rally once in ten or fifteen days. At this rate the Nshiego 

 mbouve is an animal of no little industry." 



The roof which this ape builds is from six to eight feet in 



