Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-11-21

A male chimpanZec, which was Kept In
the Berlin Aquarium in 1876, was remark
able for bis excessive livelne5s. and was on
particularly friendly terms with little
two-year-old boy, the son Of DIR. Hermes,
the director OF the aquarium. "When tue
child entered the room the chimpanzee ran
TO meet him, embraced him and kissed him,
seized his hand and drew him to the sofa
that they might play together. The child
was often rough with his payfellow,
pulling him by the mouth, pinch
| ing his ears, or lying on him,
yet the chimpsnzee was never known 10
lose his temper. He behaved very differ
| entity 10 boys between six ard ten years OLD.
When a number oil schoo.boys visited the
office. he ran toward them, went from one
10 the other. shook one OF them, bit the
leg OF another, seized jacket OF third
with the right hand, jumped up, and with
the left gave him sound box on the ear.
In short, he played the widest pranks. 1t
seemed as il he were affected with the Joy
Gus excitement OF youth, which induced
him 10 riot with the troop OF school-Doys."
One day, when DR.. Hermes gave his ninc-
year-od son o slight tap on the head for
some bunder in his arithmetic, the chin
panzce. who also sitting at the table,
thought it his duty likewise TO show bis
displeasure, and gave the boy sound box
on the ear. il, again, DR.. Hermes point
ed out to him that some one was
staring or mocking at him and s'id:
"Do not put up with it," the crea-
lure cried, "Ol o. and rushed at
the person in question, in order 10 strike or
bite him, or express his displeasure III
some other way. When he saw the direc-
tor was writing he often seized pen, dip
ped il in the inkstand, and scrawled upon
the paper. He displayed Il special talent
for cleaning the window. panes OF the aqua
rum. II was amusing 10 see him squeez-
ING I'D the cloth, mOstoDing the pane with
his lips, and then rubbing it hard, passing
quickly from one place TO another"
OF female chimpanzee, Massica by
name> kept in the Dresden Geological Gar
dens. some extraordinary things are told.
She was remarkable creature, not only III
her external habits, but in her disposition.
She was frequently uugoyernable. she
Esrdly obeyed any one except SchOpi, the
director OF the gardens, and, when in good
humor, she would st on his knee and put
Der muscular arm around his neck with
caressing gesture; but, in spite OF
this, he was never quite secure from
her rsguish tricks. She was able 10
wsrdly; and she could pour from larger
vessels into smaller ones without spil!ing
the liquor. Ii she was left alone for any
time She tried to open the lock Of her cage;
and she once succeeded IN dong so: but on
that occasion she stole the key. II was kept
hanging on the wall, and she, observing it.
took II down. bid il in herarmpit, and crept
quietly back 10 her cage. When Die occa-
sion served her purpose with the Key she
easily opened The lock and walked out.
She also knew how TO use gimlet, to ring
out we, clothes. and 10 blow her nose witt
a handkerchief. II allowed to do so,
she would draw of the keepers
boots, then scramble with them up
TO some place out Of reach, aud when he
asked for them throw them at his head.
She died OF consumption. When her ILL
ness began she became apathetic, and
looked about with vacant, unobservant
stare. just before her death she put her
arms around Schopf's neck when he came
to visit her. looked at him placIdly, kissed
him three times, stretched out her hands TO
him and died. "Thc last moments OF an
thropoids," remarks our author, "haye
their tragic side"
Professor Hartmann observes that HuX-
ley's statement that the lowest apes are
further removed from the highest apes than
the latter are from men is, according to his
experience, still perfectly valid. d" 1t eau
not be denied that the highest order OF the
animal world is closely connected with the
highest created being"