CHIMPANZEE (Guinea ). ..1n anthropoid ape (.1athropopithecus niger) of equatorial Africa, which has been known to Europeans for 500 years. The chimpanzee, though taller than an orang utan (q.v.). falls short of the stature of the gorilla. and never exhibits the breadth and mas siveness of frame shown by an old male of that species: five feet is a good height for this ani mal, and no great difference is observable be tween the sexes. This height is a matter of measurement rather than of observation, how ever• as the chimpanzee rarely stands upright. and habitually walks bent over and supporting itself upon its long forearms and knuckles, the fingers being bent in: most of its time, indeed, is passed in trees. The range of the genus tends from the Atlantic coast of mid-Africa eastward through the forest region to the Nile, from about 10 degrees south to 12 degrees north of the equator. Throughout this great area it seems to be fairly numerous, and is known under many names; the probability layering the reality of a second species. discriminated by Du rhailln as the bald chimpanzee (A. coleus). They are strictly forest-do(dling animals, haunting the densest jungle and climbing to the topmost branches. where they go about in families or small bands, feeding almost wholly upon soft fruits, but varying their diet with grubs, insects, honey, birds' eggs. fledglings, birds, etc. This appetite causes them to wander widely in search of fresh food, and in sonic districts they are greatly destructive of the banana and other plan tations of the natives. Simply guarding these plantations, when the fruit is ripe, is usually sufficient to save the crop, since the apes are timid toward men and run when they can; but if cornered they prove very troublesome foes to deal with, showing much courage, and seeking to grasp their enemy in their long arms, chew his bands, and gash his throat with their terrible teeth. Dr. Livingstone and others say that the chimpanzee is a match for the leopard. but is quickly killed (but not eaten) by the lion. The robust natives of the central Sudan chase these animals into the tree-tops, drive them into traps, and otherwise kill them off by regular hunts. They seem to he lar,71y nocturnal, and often fill the woods with loud, reiterated cries, which are varied through every variety of horrid noise; can be heard a long distance, and seem to be uttered by large troop, in concert, though perhaps only a few arc really screaming and bellowing together. Such noises 110111 it leSs serve the double purpose of keeping, the apes wandering through the black ness of the forest night, within hail of one an other. and of terrifying possible enemies. No particular sleeping-place seems to be made by this ape. but when one is about to become a mother, the pair build a platform-like nest in a tree-top, upon which the female rests until her young one (twins are only oceasiona I) is born and able to travel. The young are often cap
tured and kept as tame pets, by the negroes and wandering Arabs; and thus for two or three centuries the civilized world has been supplied with living examples.
No other of the greater apes is so human in its characteristics, appearance, and intelligence, and numberless accounts exist of the interesting ways and great docility of the animal when properly treated and trained. Though it often becomes morose and savage when old (if able to survive the pulmonary diseases which kill most of its kind in youth), when young it is teachable, af fectionate. and playful to a remarkable degree. "Even in a wild state," remarks Wright (Rirci- side Natural History, Vol. V., p. 526; lio,ton, ISS4). "the chimpanzee appears to indulge the instinct of play. which renders it such an attract ive inmate of the zoillogieal garden. Savage . . . describes how a hollow tree may be used as a drum to call the young ones to play, and how the old folks sit around keeping watch, and ready to administer a rebuke it' deserved. So entirely human are the chimpanzees in their ways, that the natives of certain tribes believe them to be relations which have been degraded from a former higher state to their present forest life." The structural resemblance to the gorilla has been noted; but the head is rounder, and the face lacks the great ridges above the eyes and massive jaws of that animal, and the canines are smaller, while the lips are more extensile and mobile. and the whole expression milder; the ears are very large and the nose insignilieant. The naked skin of the face is yellowish. darken ing with age. but that of the imlms of the hands and soles of the feet much darker; and gray hairs often become conspicuous about the mouth and chin. The body is covered everywhere else with shining black hair, most abundant on the head and shoulders, where it hangs long and thick. Much has been written as to these animals, especially in the works of Savage. Du Chant, Livingstone. Sehweinfurth, and other explorers of western and central Africa; also in regard to chimpanzees in captivity. A good general ac count is contained in Cassell's Natural History. Vol. L ( London, 1SS:3) : and a more scientific ore' in Ilartmann's Anthropoid Apes (New York. 1SS0), where a full account is given of •Maftika.' the supposed hybrid between gorilla and chim panzee. long resident in Dresden. A famous edu cated captive, 'Sally.' lived for eight years in the London ZoOlogical Gardens. and was the sub ject of psychological training and experiment. described by Bomanes in the Proceedings of the Zoiitogiml Society of London (1889); and the history and exploits of another celebrated chim panzee. 'Joanna.' are recorded in the same Pro ceedings (1899, p. 2913. et seq.). See Com LLA. and ORANG-UTAN and Plate of AxTunorout APES.