Gorillas & ChimpanzeesGarner, R. L. (Richard Lynch)
Science
Gorillas & Chimpanzees
Garner, R. L. (Richard Lynch)
Chimpanzees; Gabon -- Description and travel; Garner, R. L. (Richard Lynch), 1848-1920 -- Travel; Gorilla
In an adjoining cage was kept a young orang, and the two ate at the
same table. The chimpanzee appeared to entertain a species of contempt
for the orang. The keeper had taught him to pass the bread to his
neighbour, and he obeyed this with such reluctance that his manner
betrayed more disgust than kindness. A few small pieces of bread were
placed on a tin plate, and the kulu was required to lift the plate in
his hand, and offer it to the orang before he himself was allowed to
eat. He would lift the plate a few inches above the table, and hold
it before the orang's face; when the latter had taken a piece of the
bread, the chimpanzee withdrew the plate, held it for a moment, and
dropped it. Meanwhile he kept his eyes fixed on the orang. The manner
in which he dropped the plate looked as if he did so in contempt. When
the meal was finished, the kulu would drink his milk from a cup, wipe
his mouth with the serviette, and then get down from the table. The
orang would slowly climb down, and go back to his cage. We shall not
describe the details of their home-life, but they were two jolly young
bachelors, one of which was as stupid as the other was bright.
The specimens that were kept in the Gardens in New York were very
fine. One of them was mentally equal to any other specimen hitherto in
captivity. There were two kept in the Cincinnati Gardens which were
also very fine. There have never been but nine of these apes brought to
America so far as I am aware, but six of these lived longer and four of
them grew to be larger than any other specimens of this race have ever
done in captivity. For some reason they never survive long in England,
or other parts of Europe. This is probably due to some condition of the
atmosphere. It cannot be from a difference of treatment.
I have seen a large number of chimpanzees, but most of them were in
captivity, yet I have seen enough of them in a wild state to gain some
idea of their habits and manner, but those described will be sufficient
to show the mental character of the genus.
CHAPTER XIII
OTHER KULU-KAMBAS
Whether the kulu-kamba is a distinct species of ape, or only a
well-marked variety of the chimpanzee, he is by far the finest
representative of his genus. Among those that I have seen are some very
good specimens, and the clever things that I have witnessed them do are
sufficient to stamp them as the highest type of all apes.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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