The Springfield herald., 1903-06-12
n MONKEYS CAN THINK
MENTAL PROCESSES MUCH ALIKE
Professor Garners conclusions-Has
Found chimpanzees That Talk
Tame Chimpanzee Carries Keys Of
Plantation.


Tame chimpanzee Carries Keys of
Plantation.
Professor r. l.. Garner told in lee
ture at Steinert hall, Boston, OF his
latest attempt in the study OF monkey
or animal speech in his recent trip to
Africa. He reviewed his early efforts
to master the mysteries OF monkey
speech with captive animals. the
growth of his interest and his deter
mination to seek out the animal in his
natives and under natural conditions.
His first trip in 1892 was largely ex-
ploratory and much Of the time fruit
less for his special purposes. The last
trip was hampered by faulty arrange-
ments, but was more fruitful of re-
suits
The chimpanzee and gorilla were
chosen for study, as being nearest,
structurally, to man. and possibly the
highest developed in speech, or at least
in intelligence. Contrary to general
belief. the gorilla is confined to an ex-
tremely small district and is rarely
found at elevations of more than twen-
ty-five feet above the sea level, inhab-
iting low, marshy, fiat regions exclus-
lively.
Gorillas never build huts, as has been
said of them. They are very rare ami
mails even in Africa. and only one liv-
Ing specimen was ever exhibited in the
United States, and that in Boston, for
about a day and a half; dying five days
after its arrival.
The gorilla has been abandoned, vir-
tually, by Professor Garner, as an OBJ
ject of systematic study. owing to the
infrequency of suitable opportuni-
ties.
The chimpanzee is more tractable
animal, much more numerous than the
gorilla, and has a much wider range,
though how wide. Professor Garner
has not been able to determine. The
best region for finding them is around
the Ogowe river, where the professor
purposes to return in a few months.
with supply arrangements permitting
uninterrupted attention to the object
of his trip. The lecturer gave graph
ic recital of his experiences in the jun
gle and the difficulties attending travel
along the African equator. His fam
GUS cage was on the platform. Its de-
tails were explained and some idea
given of the native and foreign resi-
dents and the customs of the region.
A special word of praise was accord
ed the Portuguese residents he met
WIN tnere ana tnelr Sympatuetlc diu
in his work.
One Of the conclusions he has ar
rived at is that monkeys mental pro-
cesses differ in no respect from mans,
except in degree. especially in the mat
ter of speech. A remarkable instance
was related of a tame chimpanzee in
Africa which had been trained to
know all the keys of a plantation and
to use them One of the keys was a
simple -affair-little more than square
steel plug-but it opened a cabinet con-
tanning eatables. and was the first key
; to be used when given the bunch In
an impromptu exhibition of his pow
ers.
After a time it was learned that the
animal was opening the cabinet on his
own hook and 1t was found that he
would nibble stick down to the prop
er size and shape and with it would
open the cabinet. Professor Garner
promises to bring back as a result of
his coming trip group of chimpan-
zees that can talk to some extent.