268 GORILLAS AND CHIMPANZEES 



rain. The ape does not need to be pampered : on 

 the contrary, he should be permitted to rough it. 

 Half of the gorillas that have ever been in captivity 

 have died from over-nursing. By nature they are 

 strong and robust if the proper conditions are sup- 

 plied, but when these are changed he becomes a 

 frail and tender creature. They should not be 

 restricted to a vegetable diet nor limited to a few 

 articles of food of any kind, but should be allowed 

 to select such things as they prefer to eat. I have 

 grave doubts as to the wisdom of limiting the 

 quantity. One mistake is often committed in the 

 treatment of animals, and that is to continue the 

 same diet at all times and limit that to one or two- 

 items. It may be observed that the higher the form 

 of organism is the more diverse the taste becomes, 

 and while very hardy animals or those of low forms 

 may be restricted to one staple kind of food, the 

 higher forms demand a change. 



One thing above all others that I would inhibit is 

 the use of straw of any kind in their cage for beds 

 or any other purpose. If it be desired to furnish 

 them with such a comfort, nothing should ever be 

 used but dead leaves if they can be supplied. In 

 their absence a canvas hammock or wire matting 

 should be used. There are certain kinds of dust 

 given off by the dry straw of all cereal plants. This 

 is deleterious to the health of man, but vastly more 

 so to these apes. It is taken into the lungs, and 

 through them act upon other parts of the body by 

 suppressing the circulation and respiration. No 



