GORILLA 21 
Genl. Char. Size very large; color nearly all white. Skull very 
large, similar to that of G. g. matschie and about equal in size. An 
enormous crest, larger than that of G. g. matschie commences on for- ~ 
ward part of the frontal a little behind the orbital ridge, rises directly 
upwards, not with a gradual slope as in G. g. matschie, and increasing 
in height as it proceeds, joins the broad flat expansion that encircles the 
occipital region. The braincase itself is comparatively small, being 
longer than G. g. matschie but narrower and less rounded. Orbital 
ridges very prominent and heavy, with a deep depression behind, at 
the farther side of which the crest takes its rise. The facial region 
is shorter than in G. g. matschie and more prominent, and the rostrum 
anteriorly is broader. The ascending ramus of the mandible is much 
wider, but the mandible itself is no longer. The broad bony expansion 
at rear of the skull overhangs the occipital region, and is not on the 
same plane which is a characteristic feature of the skull of G. g. 
matschie. Unfortunately the palatal region and pterygoid fossa are gone. 
Color. Top of head and back of neck reddish, the hairs being 
blackish with red tips; sides of neck behind, the hairs tipped with 
yellowish; entire rest of back and legs to ankles, light gray; sides of 
face, chin and beneath lower jaw, arms from shoulders to wrist, belly, 
ankles, hands and feet, jet black; face and chest bare, black. Ex 
specimen Berlin Museum. 
This is a very large Gorilla, remarkable for the light color upon 
the back and legs, and the enormous crest, and bony expansion at 
the occipital region of the skull. The specimen is that of a very old 
animal, as is proved by the condition of the teeth, which are greatly 
worn down; and the great development of the crest, and bony expan- 
sion at occiput, is another evidence of age. The light color of most 
of the pelage may also be attributed, at all events in some degree, 
to the age of the animal, as the pale gray hairs cover a greater expanse 
than in any other specimen of a Gorilla known. In color it differs 
from G. g. matschie, its probable nearest relative, in the pale gray legs, 
these being black in the other, and the differences in the skull have 
been already mentioned. It is however to be expected that many of the 
variations witnessed in all Gorilla skulls are purely individual, and 
have little or no real specific value, for like in human skulls, no two 
crania of these great Apes can be found exactly alike, and it is not 
unlikely when ample material has been obtained that we shall be 
obliged to modify considerably our present views as to the number 
of distinct forms of Gorilla that may exist. 
