The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-11-24
WILL GAGE HIMSELF.
Prof Garner VIII Visit the Gorillas in
Africa
From the Pittsbtr0 DispGtcI

From the PittsbrTO Dispatch
WASHINGTON, Nov. 14-Prof. r. L.
Garner, who has achieved a recent celebrity
in connection with the study OF monkey
language, is in Washington consulting
with scientific men respecting an expedi-
ton to Africa which he proposes to make.
For some years past be has devoted atten-
ton to the analysis Of simian speech, his
purpose being to produce lexicon thereof.
Once having established an understanding
OF a few OF the simpler words used by these
arboreal cousins of mankind, he believes
that it will be easy enough to communicate
with them intelligently. Thus they may
be educated in limited degree, and may
be taught to be Of some service 70 the
world.
Prof. Gamers present intention is to
learn something or the speech of gorillas.
These great apes represent an elevated type
among the anthropoids; they are rapidly
diminishing in numbers, and it is desired
TO secure few last words from them, at all
events, before their kind becomes extinct.
Accordingly, he proposes TO sail few
weeks hence for the west cast Of Africa,
whence he will make his way into the Ga
boon country, where are vast forests, which
afford home to the greatest numbers of
gorillas to-day.
WILL SHUT HIMSELF IN A CAGE.
He will take with him a large iron cage,
constructed in sections so as TO be readily
transported. This cage is not intended to
catch gGillas In. On the contrary, it is
meant to keep them out. Prof. Garner
proposes to occupy it himself, having set it
up IN the midst of the forest. 1t will be big
enough to provide him with room to sleep
aud TO study. The sections will be con-
veyed by carriers into the bowling wilder
ness, where they will be put together. Neces-
sarily, the cage will have to be massively
built, in order to defeat any efforts that may
be made by aggressive gorillas to pull it
apart.
In that region the forests at night are
kept in an uproar by the bowls Of gorillas.
There are the bachelors of the species,
which are naturally disposed to postpone
going to bed until morning, while the males
that have families keep an unrestful guard
at the foot Of the trees where their wives
repose among the branches. in the intervals
OF the squalling of the youngsters for lack
Of ipecac and soothing syrup. Here Prof.
Garner will establish his roost and try to
catch by ear few suggestions of the lam
guage employed by these wild creatures in
shouting to one another. He anticipates
that the study be has already made of
monkey talk will be help.
WILL FLIRT WITH THE FEMALES.
AFTER acquiring by guess the meaning OF
few words he will make use of them by
taking part in the bowls himself. By day
as well as by night he will make responses
to the yells and cries of gorillas that he
hears In the woods and he thinks that in
this way he will be able to attract certain
individuals, especially females, about him.
Presumably they will be favorably prepos-
sessed with so agreeable an anthropoid as
the professor, and intimacies may result
which will afford most profitable opportuni-
ties for conversation. He will not venture
out of his cage, however
Prof. Garner will carry along with him
eight monographs and a gross of blank
cylinders. The monographs will be placed
around the inside Of the cage with large tin
trumpets fixed on their diaphragms and
pointing outward. If any gorillas approach
the barred Enclosure and have any remarks
to make OF hostile or amatory nature, the
electric batteries controlling the phono-
graphs can be turned on at a moments
notice, and the words uttered will be indel-
IDLY recorded for the future edification of
civilized lecture audiences. Electric lights
will illuminate the cage.