1 68 LLOYDS NATURAL HISTOHY. 



might then be often seen hanging by one arm from a bare 

 branch, with perhaps eighty unobstructed feet between them 

 and the ground, making the woods resound with their loud 

 barking howls, uttered apparently for pure love of making a 

 noise. On one occasion a young one, found clinging to its 

 mother, which had been shot, was brought in alive. It had 

 been only stunned by a pellet on the head, and had no 

 bones broken. In a very short time it became a most 

 dehghtful companion. The following observations in refer- 

 ence to it are taken from the writer's Journal : " Its ex- 

 pression of countenance is most intelligent and often very 

 human ; but in captivity it generally wears a sad and dejected 

 aspect, which quite disappears in its excited moods. With 

 what elegance and gentleness it takes with its delicate taper 

 fingers whatever is offered to it ! Except for their hairiness, its 

 handS; and, in its youth at all events, its head, seem to me more 

 human than those of any other Ape's. It rarely, however, brings 

 its thumb into opposition with the other lingers, but usually 

 clasps the whole hand, without that digit, on an object. It will 

 never put its lips to a vessel to drink, but invariably lifts the 

 water to its mouth, by dipping in its half-closed hand and then 

 awkwardly licking the drops from its knuckles. It generally 

 sits with its arms crossed over its chest, and its fingers overlaid 

 behind its head. The gentle and caressing way in which it 

 clasps me round the neck with its long arms, laying its head 

 on my chest, and watching my face with its dark brown 

 eyes, uttering a satisfied crooning sound, is most engaging. 

 Although it often inflates its laryngeal sac, it rarely gives 

 utterance to more than a yawn-like noise or suppressed 

 bark ; but this dilatation has no reference apparently to 

 its good or bad temper, although, when very eager and iii^- 



