HAMLYN'S MENAGERIE MAGAZINE. 
27 
and dandelion, and was particularly partial to 
ground nuts. Her diet in fact differed in no res- 
pects from that of ordinary Monkeys and Chim- 
panzees. Nevertheless during" the last few months 
of her life she suffered from increasing obesity, 
accompanied by sluggishness and disinclination to 
take exercise of any kind, although given every 
opportunity to roam at large. We do not, how- 
ever, know that the feeding was responsible for 
her premature death. The cause in this case as 
in that of other Gorillas has vet to be ascertained. 
But it may be hopefully remembered in this con- 
nection that there was a time, and that not very 
long since, when the high mortality amongst cap- 
tive Chimpanzees gave rise to the idea that they 
are delicate and difficult to keep alive under the 
artificial conditions imposed by cage-life. We can 
afford to smile at such notions nowadays, having 
learnt by experience that the short duration of 
their existence was not clue to inherent ..debility 
of constitution but to our own blunders in suppos- 
ing that they needed a high temperature with ex- 
clusion of fresh air involving hermetically sealed 
windows and doors and a resulting atmosphere in 
which no human being, child or adult, could be 
expected to keep healthy a week. 
Although it is no doubt true that Gorillas on 
the whole are delicate and differ in constitution 
from Chimpanzees almost as much as they differ 
from them in character, the comparative success 
achieved in Dublin and Breslau suggests that in- 
dividual Gorillas vary considerably in capacitv 
for resisting fatal diseases incident to captivity, 
and that hardy specimens may now and again be 
procured which repay the time, trouble and monev 
spent upon them. From the Dublin specimen we 
also know that their character varies as well; and 
it is particularly significant that in this instance 
constitutional robustness was acompanied by do- 
cility of temperament. Perhaps the one factor is 
as important as the other from the point of view 
of survival under human protection. If that be 
so there are good grounds for entertaining the 
hope that our new Gorilla will thrive in captivity. 
In temper, health and appetite, he is all that can 
be desired; and he could not have been imported 
and started on his new career under more favour- 
able conditions so far as weather is concerned. It 
is our sincere hope that he may live at all events 
to break the record of seven years life in captivity 
hitherto held by the German specimen. 
HAVE YOU GOT A GORILLA? 
NATURALIST OFFERS £100 TO ANYONE 
WHO CAN PRODUCE ONE. 
Goumba, the famous educated chimpanzee of 
Mr. J. D. Hamlyn, the naturalist, has at last 
found a kindred spirit. 
For many years her only companion has been 
Mr. Hamlyn, who, although proficient in Simian 
psychology, lacks the degree of activity required 
by Goumba. But the arrival of a young gorilla 
from the French Congo has filled the gap — and 
Mr. Hamlyn is becoming jealous. 
A "Weekly Despatch" representative who 
visited Mr. Hamlyn in his East End home was 
greeted, on opening the door, by a series of 
shrieks. The clamour proceeded from a cage 
that confined a black gorilla, the reason for whose 
despairing cries was apparent onl) when the repre- 
sentative found Mr. Hamlyn and Goumba at the 
dining-room table discussing tea together. 
Mr. Hamlyn 's family is well bred. Goumba 
drinks from a china cup, eats from a china plate, 
and is an epicure in fruit, preferring grapes to 
apples. The gorilla, Mr. Hamlyn 's other rela- 
tive — for the naturalist is a firm believer in the 
scientific theory of man's descent — has not yet 
learned table etiquette, and is therefore not per- 
mitted to teach Goumba bad manners. 
The three together form a pleasant trio. The 
two monkeys sport round the room, encouraged 
by Mr. Hamlyn, who sits near by watching', like 
an indulgent father. Only when Goumba becomes 
too profuse in kissing him does he exercise res- 
traint. 
The gorilla is believed to be the only one in 
Europe; but Mr. Hamlyn offers £100 to anyone 
who can produce a companion monkey. 
NEW GORILLA IN LONDON. 
FIXE SPECIMEN RECENTLY IMPORTED 
FROM AFRICA. 
The following appeared in the 
Despatch," 18th August, 1918 : — 
' Weekb 
The following appeared in the "Star," 15th 
August, 1918 :— 
Mr. J. D. Hamlyn, the naturalist, has just 
received at his premises at 221, St. George Street, 
a young gorilla, which he believes to be the only 
one in captivity in the world. Certainly it is the 
only one in Europe. 
Master "John Daniel" — for he has been chris- 
tened after his owner — is a particularly fine speci- 
men. He is only four years old, but even so 
stands some 30 inches high and weighs about 30 
lbs. 
500 MILES ACROSS COUNTRY. 
"John Daniel," said Mr. Hamlyn to a "Star" 
man to-day, "comes to us from Cape Lopez after 
a journey across country of about 500 miles. 
