AARON AND ELISHEBA 155 



I have never seen, in any two apes of the same species, the 

 two extremes so widely removed from one another. 



While waiting at Gaboon for a steamer I had my own 

 cage erected for the apes to live in, as it was large and gave 

 them ample room for play and exercise. In one corner of 

 it was suspended a small, cosy house for them to sleep in. 

 It was furnished with a good supply of clean straw and 

 some pieces of canvas for bedclothes. In the center of 

 the cage was a swing, or trapeze, for them to use at their 

 pleasure. Aaron found this a means of amusement, and 

 often indulged in a series of gymnastics that might evoke 

 the envy of a king of athletic sports. 



Elisheba had no taste for such pastime, but her deprav- 

 ity could never resist the impulse to interrupt Aaron in his 

 jolly exercise. She would climb up and contend for pos- 

 session of the swing, until she would drive him away. 

 Then she would perch herself on it and sit there for a 

 time in stolid content ; but she would neither swing nor 

 play. Frequently during the day, when Aaron was lying 

 quietly on the straw, she would go into the snug little 

 house and raise a row with him by pulling the straw from 

 under him, a handful at a time, and throwing it out of the 

 box till there was none left in it. No matter what kind or 

 quantity of food was given them, she always wanted the 

 piece he had, and would fuss with him to get it ; but hav- 

 ing got it, she would sit holding it in her hand without 

 eating it ; for there were some things that he liked which 

 she would not eat at all. 



When we went out for a walk, no matter which way we 

 started, Elisheba always contended to go some other way. 



