To Study Gorilla Talk - Professor Garner
PROF. R. L. GARNER, of Washington, the discoverer of the language of capucine monkeys. has conceived another original project. He proposes to investigate the language of gorillas in Africa.
It has already been explained that Professor Garner's method of studying the monkey language is to collect their cries in the cylinder of a phonograph, to classify them, to perfect himself in repeating them, and afterward to discover their significance 1w uttering them in the hearing of monkeys. and watching the effect of the sounds upon the latter. In this way he was able to identify the sounds meaning drink and thirst, hunger and food, anger, fear, and many others.
The gorilla is one of the most intelligent members of the simian order, and one of the animals nearest to man. It has a great deal of individuality, and has thus far succeeded in keeping itself secluded from naturalists and hunters. It is only since tau that the gorilla has been known, and when Paul B. du Chain published an elaborate account of its habits in one of his books of travel and discovery in Africa, his statements were received with incredulity by scientific men. Their accuracy has been established since. Only a few gorillas have ever been captured and brought within the pale of civilization, and these have died quickly.
The gorilla is extremely powerful, and ferocious when its anger is aroused, and attacks man with the confidence, energy, and cyclonic effects with which John L. Sullivan advances upon a foe. It is a vegetarian chiefly, although it feeds also on eggs, birds, and small mamma. Gorillas wander in the forests in families, each headed by a male. These great apes represent an elevated type among the anthropoids. and as they are said to be rapidly diminishing in numbers. Professor Garner desires to secure a few words of their speech before the race is extinct.
He proposes to sail to the west coast of Africa and make his way into the Cahoon country, where vast forests afford a home to great numbers of gorillas. Besides phonographs, he thinks of making the gorillas familiar with the invention of the electric light. If a brilliant cluster of electric lights were displayed in a forest at night, he believes it would be the means of attracting curious gorillas among other visitors.
At this point an original feature of Professor Garner's plan is introduced. It is easily understood that under ordinary conditions his position would not be a comfortable one, with his electric lights and his phonographs, when surrounded by a circle of curious gorillas, lions, and other beasts. To prevent the animals from investigating him too closely, he intends to take with him a large cage constructed of stout steel bars, and to shut himself up in it during his experiments. The phonographs will be placed about the interior of the cage, with their receivers pointing outward ready to record any remarks the gorillas may have to make.
Source: The Illustrated American, December 5, 1891, Volume 9 Page 123
