72 APES AND MONKEYS 



on this subject ; but the sum of my labors in this field leads 

 me to doubt much that has been said and accepted as true. 

 I regret that it devolves upon me to controvert many of 

 the stories told about the great apes, but finding no germ 

 of truth in some of them, I cannot evade the duty of deny- 

 ing them. I regret it all the more, because many of them 

 have been woven into the fabric of natural history, have 

 become integral parts of our literature, and received the 

 seal of scientific approval ; but time will justify and sustain 

 me in the denial. I am aware that bigots of certain schools 

 will challenge me for pointing out their mistakes ; and some 

 will assume to know more about these apes than fishes 

 know about swimming ; but the simple truth should have 

 precedence over all theories. 



Before proceeding with an account of the apes I shall 

 relate some of the incidents of my hermitage. 



