The Minds and Manners of Wild Animals: A Book of Personal Observations

Concerning Miss Cunningham's wonderful story, I wish to state that I believe all of it,--because there is no reason to do otherwise! It sets a new mark in gorilla lore, and it lifts a curtain from an animal mind that previously was unknown, and very generally misunderstood. To the Doubting Thomases who will doubt some portions of Miss Cunningham's story, let me cite, by way of caution, the following history: When Du Chaillu discovered the gorilla, and came to America and England with his specimens to tell about it, he said that when a big gorilla is attacked and made angry it beats its breast, repeatedly, with its clenched fists. The wiseacres of that day solemnly shook their heads and said: "Oh, no! That can not be true. No ape ever did that. He is romancing!" But now we know that this breast-beating and chest-clapping habit is to a gorilla a common-place performance, even in captivity. Sometimes there are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in all our philosophy.