MAMMALIA — OR A NG OUTANG. 73 



which bounded over him ; but at length caught him by the tail, and tried to 

 envelope him in his covering. The monkey seemed to dislike his confine- 

 ment, and broke from him, but again renewed his gambols, and although 

 frequently caught, always escaped. The intercourse, however, did not 

 seem to be that of equals, for the orang outang never condescended to romp 

 with the monkey, as he did with the boys of the ship. Yet the monkeys 

 had evidently a great predilection for his company ; for whenever they 

 broke loose, they took their way to his resting place, and were often seen 

 lurking about it, or creeping clandestinely towards him. There appeared 

 to be no gradation in their intimacy ; as they appeared as confidently fami- 

 liar' with him when first observed, as at the close of their acquaintance. 



" But although so gentle when not exceedingly irritated, the orang outang 

 would be excited to violent rage, which he expressed by opening his mouth, 

 showing his teeth, and seizing and biting those who were near him. Some- 

 times, indeed, he seemed almost driven to desperation ; and, on two or three 

 occasions, committed an act, which, in a rational being, would have been 

 called the threatening of suicide. If repeatedly refused an orange when he 

 attempted to take it, he would shriek violently, and swing furiously about 

 the ropes ; then return and endeavor to obtain it : if again refused, he would 

 roll for some time like an angry child upon the deck, uttering the most 

 piercing screams ; and then suddenly starting up, rush furiously over the 

 side of the ship and disappear. On first witnessing this act, we thought 

 that he had thrown himself into the sea; but, on a search being made, 

 found him concealed under the chains. 



"This animal neither practices the grimaces and antics of other monkeys, 

 nor possesses their perpetual proneness to mischief. Gravity, approaching 

 to melancholy, and mildness, were sometimes strongly expressed in his 

 countenance, and seem to be the characteristics of his disposition. When 

 he first came among strangers, he would sit for hours with his hand upon 

 his head, looking pensively at all around him ; and when much incommoded 

 by their examination, would hide himself beneath any covering that was at 

 hand. His mildness was evinced by his forbearance under injuries, which 

 were grievous before he was excited to revenge ; but he always avoided 

 those who often teazed him. He soon became strongly attached to those 

 who used him kindly. By their side he was fond of sitting ; and getting as 

 close as possible to their persons, would take their hands between his lips, 

 and fly to them for protection. From the boatswain of the Alceste, who 

 shared his meals with him, and was his chief favorite, although he some- 

 times purloined the grog and the biscuit of his benefactor, he learned to 

 eat with a spoon ; and might be often seen sitting at his cabin door, enjoy- 

 ing his coffee, quite unembarrassed by those who observed him, and with 

 a grotesque and sober air, that seemed a burlesque on human nature. 



" Next to the boatswain, I was, perhaps, his most intimate acquaintance. 

 He would always follow me to the mast-head, whither I often went for the 



10 



