The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-06
HABITS OF THE GORILLA.
Tho Very Low Grade of Psyohical Attain
ment of the Gorilla.

ment of the Gorilla.
J. II. Reading, in American Naturalist.
The gorilla recently shipped to Philadelphia
and now in the possession of Prof. Cope, was
shot in the Ogowe delta, on the left bank of the
main channel of the Ogowe river, near a place
called "Oranga' 1.-THE deepG about fifty miles in a
direct line from the Atlantic ocean. Gorillas
are not found on the right hand of the Ogowe,
at least not near the river, but from the left
bank all the way to the coast
The great Ogowe delta, following the wind,
ings of the river, is 165 miles in length, and per-
hans ninety miles wildcat the widest part. The up
per part contains many red clay hills, one at least
being 600 feet in height. Excepting these, the
land is low, most of it being just below tho food
line. The lowest land is covered either with
coarse grass--the food of hippopotami and man
ati-or papavers. The higher lands and hills are
covered with a dense forest or jungle of palm
and other trees. The gorilla seems to be at
tracted to this region by two particular kinds of
wild fruit of which he is very fond. He is al
ways found in the widest, darkest and most
secluded parts of the forest, and greatly dislikes
the presence OF man. When aroused he is
brave and fights with great fury. He is so
feared but very few men have the nerve to hunt
him, especially as it is necessary to let him
come within a few twelve is the rule) feet be-
fore firing, owing to tho darkness of the jungle.
The man who shot this one was looked upon
with wonder and admiration by all
the people, every one Of whom believed
he was possessed of q powerful fetch or
he could not have killed him The entrailS were
given to some Pangwe cannibals 1.-THE Fans of
Du Chaillu and the Nam Man of Schwein-
furth), who esteemed them a great delicaey. and
the universal opinion here is that 1 sent him to
America for the white man to eat. They were
Disguised with my wasting so much good rum on
him when they would liked to have poured it
down their throat SO well. The gorilla is a
rare animal, even in that part of the country
where he makes his home, and opportunities to
obtain specimens occur but seldom. Old males,
as this one, live alone, while as many as two
families are seldom, at least, seen together.
Many wonderful stories of them are told by the
natives, but as one never knows how much to
believe of native stories / will not repeat them
here. In my opinion DuC haillu is the best living
authority on gorillas. would believe his state
ments, even if they conflicted with my own OBJ
servations, because he understands them better
than do. 1t may be interesting TO note that
the people here look upon them as entirely dis
tinct from themselves, yet they call them men,
wild men, and 'furrent men"
The gorilla cannot make "A fire, does not build
u house or shelter. and does not fight with weap-
ons except such as nature gives him in his body.
He will seize the gun or spear of his adversary
and break, but will not attempt to use it in his
own defense. 1t is about practically impossible
to keep the gorilla for any length of time in cap
tivity. He becomes detected and morose, and
either starves himself or else dies apparently Of
a broken heart, Traders and others occasion
ally get young ones-I had one myself-but they
do not seem happy as do chlmpanzees and other