The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-10-07
THE HIGHER APES.
Reasoning Powers of tho Chimpanzecs,
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Reasoning Powers of tho Chimpanzees,
Gibbons, Gorilias and Oranss.
The great man-like apes, as well as
some of the inferior four-handed brutes,
possess intelligence of an Or,ler that is
higher than that displayed by the dog
or elephant. Thus. it is related of one
of the long tailed American monkeys,
that, having cut himself once with
sharp tool, he would not touch it again,
or would handle it with the greatest
caution. Lumps of sugar were often
given him wrapped in paper, but some
times q live wasp was put into the
package. After this he always first
held the package to his ear before
opening it in order TO detect any move
ment within. An old pig-tailed baboOn,
In captivity, had habit of adopting
small cats and dogs, which she carried
about. One Of her pets, small kitten,
scratched this creature on one occasion.
She seemed much astOnished and i'm
mediatelV examined the kittens feet,
and without more ado bit off the claws.
In both these instances there was a
shaping of actions in accordance with
new and strange experiences which
must have been the result of some sort
of reasoning process similar to what we
ourselves are conscious of performing.
They could not have been the outcome
OF instinct, for that is the product of the
experience OF the species.
The larger apes, the gibbons, Chin
this same ability to adapt means to
ends, and at the same time show affcc-
ton, sorrow, compassion for fellow
being in distress, and sometimes con-
seriousness Of having done wrong. The
following relative to the gibbon of
Sumatra, by NJ. Duvauncel, is re-
markabie instance Of animal hygienic
care: at is curious and interesting
spectacle, which little precaution has
sometimes enabled me to witness, to
see the females carrying their young
ones to the water. and there wash their
faces in spite of their childish outcries
-bestowing a degree of time and care
on their cleanliness which, in many |
cases, the children of our own species |
might envy"
In the shape of the brain these men,
like apes approach more closely to |
man than any other of the brute crea- |
ton. 1t must never be forgotten, how
ever, that although in general shape |
and in the arrangement of the cleVa-
tiOns and burrows upon the surface, SO
far as they 90, there is this striking re-
sembiance, vet in size and weight their
brains are widely separated from that
l. l., Il
to one of these creatures as yet exam
ined has been found only one'half the
weight of the smallest healthy human
brain, although the weight of the en-
tire body of full grown male gorilla
is nearly double that of an average
man. Again, that of the orang seems
to be of a higher type than that of
the others, still each of them
has some one characteristic that makes
it resemble that of men more than
does that of either of the others. There
is vast difference between individual
monkeys regarding the amount of in
telligence they are capable of develop
ing under training. This difference
seems to lie in the degree each is capa-
BILE of fixing his attention. If the at
tention is easily distracted there is
little hope of teaching him anything.
Their tendency to initiate is another
large factor in teaching them new mus
cular actions. The orang has been OBJ
served to display wonderful aptness in
overcoming difficulties. In fact, it is
difficult to deny them them the posses
sion of some degree of reason. One of
them wishing to open door, his
keeper gave him bunch of fifteen
keys; the ape tried them in turn until
he found the one wanted. Louis
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