The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-11

A FTER living for six years be-
n yond the border line of civili-
\ ,,tior. within the shadows Of
'.' -c'intoral forest in
the villages inhabited by pygmies and
among the camps of African chief
tains in the interior Of the Belgian
Congo, James Chaplin. a young ex
,.v.,. ... I'D + with Herber, Lang
If the American Museum of Natural
listory's Congo expedition, has re-
turned with probably the largest and
most important collection ever se-
cured In Africa.
The expedition OF which he was a
member was organized and conducted
~ the American Museum in coopera.
ton with the Belgian Government,
which contributed to the financing
II the exploration party and aided
the explorers materially.
Originally the Congo expedition was
planned to cover a period OF about
hree years. but the work Of explora-
ion pSoved 81 interesting and yielded
many rare and valuable specimens
nat the time was extended and the
'Nplorers continued their quest for
TX years.
Mr.. Chaplin. who returned from Africa
lbout ten days ago by way Of Eng
ana, is boyish In appearance and an
Enthusiast in the adventurous life Of
exploration. He Is exceedingly mod
est and inclined to sneak OF his
achievements as everyday events.
When he left for the field six years
ago he was only 10 years OF age. n
college student, but keen and alert
ana gifted with unusual powers of
| observation.
lie - extremely loyal TO the leader
" the expedition. Herbert Lang. and
thoroughly appreciative Of the iaurels
won by the chief OF the exploration
party. Their collection made numbers
over $4,000 specimens
10 the African natives of the Comm
MI Chaplin was known a. Jemiz,. and
this name chung TO him as he Jour
neyed through the equatorial fores,
ot the Interior.
The members OF the COMO e1pedi.
ton reached Bona. Africa. on Juns "a
SIX years ago, and upon their arr,va,
there they called upon the Vice. Gov.
"rhor at that port. now Gen, Ianton.
hois or the Belgian army.
From Bona We proceeded 70 ".
'adi. said Mr.. Chapin, -and from mi,
Gown we started out for Leopoldy,Ile
travelling on a little narrow eaux,
runway which IL in operation sbou
vice a week, making tho trip be
'Wern Matadi and Leopoldvflle. a dis
lance OF about 399 k!lometers
We then went on board a steane
or barge. with tug alongside. and con.
@nued on up the river to Stanley
VIE. where We arrived August 3. w,
remained in the vicinity of Stanley
vile until September I. collecting man,
specimens In that region. Afterwart
We made our way through the countr,
collecting until We arrived at Ava
kubi the capital Of Nurt. on the Itur
River. wharo We established head
quarters.
Here We camped for about ~,
months II was In this region We FRS
encountered the pyg1ntes We fount
them rather shy. although some mem
bers Of the tribe had visited tho pos
at Avskuh and thus became &C
quainted with white men
In stature they measured from fou
and a half feet 20 flve feet. and thei
favorite food appeared to be- whit
ants and caterpillarp. They hunt 4
a certain extent and occasionally cap
ture an antelope. although they seer
To show a preference for the African
white ants. The pygmies 1--we IN rathel
primitive fashion. and their huts ar
constructed out Of sticks and ieave
OF the forest Apparently they nav,
a rowing disposition, FOR they wande
from one village 10 another.
From Avakub! We went to Medt
early In January, 1910" continued tn