Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1886-12-10

7 Some facts I'm relation to the giant
monkey have been collected by writer
in Chambers Journal, aud are most
interesting. The aged male gorilla, he
says. IN the full strength of his bodily
development, is creature OF terrible
aspect. This animal when standing
upright, is more than six feet in height.
The hinder part Of the head is broader
below than above, and the projecting
arches above the eyes give peculiar
prominence 10 this part OF the skull.
1.-The dark eyes glow beneath the lids
I with n ferocious expression" The neck
is very powerful, almost like that Of .
bull, and the shoulders are remarkable
for their breadth. The arms are very
long, and OF enormous strength: but the
leg short and feeble In proportion. The
gorilla inhabits the forest Of West
Africa, but is sometimes seen In large
numbers on the seacoast, probably driven
thither from the interior by scarcity OF
food. The gorilla. moreover, lives in Il
society consisting of male aud female,
with their young Of varying ages, and
the family group inhabits the recesses OF
tha forest. According to one observer.
they frequent the sleeping place not
more than three or four times consecu-
lively, and usually spend the night
wherever they happen TO be when night
comes on. The male gorilla chooses a
suitable tree, not very high. and by
twisting and bending the branches con-
structs a kind of rude bed or nest for his
family. He himself spends the night
under the tree. and thus protects the
female and their young from the noctur-
MI attacks Of leopards, which are always
ready to devour all species OF apes. In
the daytime the gorillas roam through
the forest in search Of the favoriIe leaves
or fruits which form their food.
In walking gorillas place the backs Of
their closed fingers on the ground, or
more rarely support themselves on the
fiat palm. while thel bent soles Of the
feet are also in contact with the ground.
Their gait Is tottering; the movement OF
the body, which is never In an upright
position as in man. but bent forward,
rolls Ia some extent from one side To
another. They are skilliul climbers,
and when ranging from tree 10 tree VIII
90 10 their very tops. The gorilla l.
regarded Ne dreadful and very danger
Gus anmal by the negroes who inhabit
the same country, though Professor
Hartman considers that Du Challu's
descriptions are greatly exaggerated "for
the benefit of his readers" When the
animal is scared by man he generally
takes TO flight screaming, aud he only
assumes the defensive IL wounded or
driven into n corner. At such times his
size, strength, and dexterity combine to
rcUueT Ulul 10 lOIHlluaoic Sh'"1' ~
sends forth a kind Of howl or furious
yelp, stands up on his hind legs like an
snraged bear, advances with clumsy gait
in this position and attacks his enemy.
At the same time the hair on his head
and the nape Of his neck stands erect,
his teeth are displayed, AMI bis eyes
flash with savage fury. lie beats his
massive breast with his fists, or beats the
air with them. Koppenfels says that u
no further provocation isgiven, and his
opponent gradually retreats before the
animals rage has reached Its highest
point, he does not return TO the attack.
In other cases he parties the blow
directed against him with the skill OF
practiced fighter; and ss 10 also done by
the bear, he grasps his opponent by the
arm and crushes it, or else throws the
man down and rends him with his
terrible canine teeth"