GORILLA, 
4i 
latter the arrangement of the hair is the same as in the chimpanzee; but we notice a 
great difference in the form of the hands, as may be seen from the illustration on p. 15. 
Thus, in marked contrast to that of the chimpanzee, the hand (1) is remarkable for 
its great width and stoutness, coupled with the shortness and generally clumsy make 
of the fingers, which are united together by a strong web, reaching nearly to the end 
of their first joints. The thumb is short in proportion to the fingers, reaching but 
slightly beyond the middle of the metacarpal bone of the index finger, and is nearly 
conical in shape at its extremity. The fingers, on the contrary, are somewhat 
flattened at their extremities. There is but little difference, as seen in our figure, 
between the lengths of the index, middle, and ring fingers; the former being some¬ 
times as long as, but at others shorter than the middle finger. In all cases, however, 
the “ little ” finger is true to its name in being shorter than either of the others. 
The skin on the back of the wrist is thrown into a number of deep folds, with an 
oblique direction ; while a network of wrinkles covers the backs of the fingers, which 
have large callosities on the first and sometimes also on the second joints; these 
callosities being produced by the animal walking, when on all-fours, with its 
fingers doubled on the palms of the hands. On the deep black and naked skin of 
the palms of the hands, which are hard and horny, there are generally numerous 
wart-like growths. 
With the exception of noticing its enormous bulk, especially in the lower part, 
we need not devote any particular attention to the body of the gorilla; and we 
accordingly direct our observation to the hind-limbs or legs. One of the most 
important features in these is that the calves are more developed than in any of 
the other Man-like Apes. The foot, as contrasted with that of the chimpanzee in 
the illustration on p. 15, is characterised by its great breadth and width, and also 
by the extreme shortness of the very thick toes. The great toe varies somewhat in 
length, as compared with that of the others, reaching in some individuals as far 
as the end of their first joints, and in others to the middle of the second. In con¬ 
trast to the thumb, the great toe is expanded at the end; and, in opposition to the 
other toes, forms a grasping organ of great power. None of the other toes are as 
thick as the great toe; the middle toe being slightly longer than either of the 
adjacent ones, while the little toe is considerably shorter. The sole of the foot is 
somewhat convex, but its upper surface is very flat, and there is no sort of re¬ 
semblance to the human instep in the whole foot. The upper surface of the foot, 
as far as the commencement of the toes, is thickly covered with hair, but on the 
latter the hairs become thinly scattered; while the sole is bare, and covered with a 
thick horny skin. Owing to the habit of its sometimes walking with the toes bent 
under the sole of the foot, the gorilla has callosities on the upper surface of the 
toes. 
With regard to the colour of the hair, of which, as we have 
already said, the general hue is blackish, there is considerable 
individual variation, and likewise a change attendant upon age; very old gorillas 
becoming more or less completely grizzled. As a rule, we may notice a reddish- 
brown tint on the hair at the top of the head, although it may be dark brown, or 
even black; the hairs generally being differently coloured in different portions of 
their length. On the sides of the face the hair is greyish at the roots and dark at 
