CHAPTER XVIII 



THE TREATMENT OF APES IN CAPTIVITY 



In conclusion, I deem it in order to offer a few 

 remarks with regard to the causes of death among 

 these apes, and to the proper treatment of the 

 animals in captivity. We know so little and assume 

 so much concerning them that we often violate the 

 very laws under which they live. 



We have already noticed the fact that the gorilla 

 is confined by nature to a low, humid region, reeking 

 with miasma and the effluvia of decaying vegetation. 

 The atmosphere in which he thrives is one in which 

 human life can hardly exist. We know in part why 

 man cannot live in such an atmosphere and under 

 such conditions, but we cannot say with certainty 

 why the ape does do so. It would seem that the 

 very element that is fatal to the life of man gives 

 strength and vitality to the gorilla. 



We know that all forms of animal life are not 

 affected in the same way by the same things, 

 and while it may be said in round numbers that 

 whatever is good for man is good for apes also, it is 

 not a fact. 



The human race is the most widely distributed of 



