284 APES AND MONKEYS 



that I met in Africa testifies that this simple thing will 

 kill any gorilla in the forest if he is subjected to the fumes 

 for a sufficient time. I have reason to believe that this 

 is true. It may not invariably prove fatal, but it will be 

 so in many instances. The chimpanzee is not so much 

 affected by it, although he dislikes it. The gorilla detests 

 it and shows at all times his strong aversion to it. I have 

 no doubt that this is one of the reasons why these apes 

 die on board the ships by which they are brought from 

 Africa. 



Both of these apes are possessed, in a degree, of savage 

 and resentful instincts ; but these are much stronger in 

 the gorilla than in the chimpanzee. The gorilla, there- 

 fore, requires firm and consistent treatment. This can be 

 used without severity or cruelty, but the intellect of the 

 gorilla must not be underrated. He studies with a keen 

 perception the motives and intentions of man, and is sel- 

 dom mistaken in his interpretation of them. He often 

 manifests a violent dislike for certain persons, and when 

 this is discovered to be the case, the object of his dislike 

 should not be permitted in his presence, for the result is 

 to enrage the ape and excite his nervous nature. When 

 he becomes sullen or obstinate, he should not be coaxed 

 or indulged, nor yet used with harshness. He should 

 either be left alone for a time or be diverted by a change 

 of treatment. 



