28 THE ORANG-OUTAN. 
Having thus cut off his retreat, they apply the axe to the tree of refuge, and endeavour 
to secure the ape before he has recovered from the shock of the fall. 
The adult male animal is singularly hideous in aspect, owing much of its repulsive- 
ness to the great projection of the jaws and the callosities that appear on the cheeks. As 
is the case with all the larger apes, it becomes sullen and ferocious as it approaches its 
adult state, although in the earlier years of its life it is docile, quiet, and even 
affectionate. Several young specimens have been brought to Europe, and were quite 
interesting animals, having many curious tricks, and exhibiting marks of strong affection 
to anyone who treated them kindly. One of these animals learned to take its meals 
in a civilised maner, using a spoon, or a cup and saucer, with perfect propriety. 
When brought to colder climates than that of its native land, the animal covets 
warmth, and is fond of wrapping itself in any woollen clothes, or blankets that it can 
obtain. On board ship it has been known to rob the sailors or passengers of their 
bedding, and to resist with much energy any attempt to recover the stolen property. 
Though sufficiently docile and good-tempered when it has its own way, the young 
Orang is rather subject to sudden gusts of passion when crossed in its wishes, and 
in such cases puts forth its powers with much effect. But the angry passion soon passes 
away, and the creature seems to be ashamed of its conduct. 
One of these animals which I watched for some little time, had a curiously wistful 
and piteous expression of countenance, and although very young, its face was wrinkled 
like that of an old man of eighty. The creature sat and looked out of its deeply set eyes, 
as if the cares of the nation rested on its shoulders. It was not very lively, but moved 
about among the branches with great ease. The form was not at all symmetrical, for the 
long arms, and feet, and hands seemed strangely out of proportion with its round, 
weakly-looking body, so that it involuntarily reminded the spectator of those long-legged, 
round-bodied spiders that are so common about old walls. 
The lips were very mobile, and the animal moved them when agitated by any 
emotions ; sometimes shooting them forward like the poutings of a petulant child, 
and sometimes drawing them together in strange wrinkles. The neck was but slightly 
indicated, and the whole animal presented an uncouth, goblin-like aspect. 
One of these animals that was brought to England by Dr. Abel, exhibited many 
curious habits. 
It had been taught to walk in an erect position, without supporting itself by 
extraneous help, but the erect posture was so ill adapted to its structure, that it could 
only preserve its balance by raising the arms over its head, and throwing them behind 
it, as has already been mentioned. The mode in which the head is united to the neck 
renders the equilibrium uncertain. 
This animal was tolerably omnivorous in appetite, for although its usual food 
consisted of fruits and bread, it was exceedingly fond of raw eggs, and would eat almost 
any kind of meat, whether dressed or raw. It would drink water, or milk, or beer, 
preferring the two latter liquids to any other. But it was also fond of wine, and was 
partial to mixtures of a still more potent character. Coffee and tea were favourite 
beverages with the animal, so that it displayed a decidedly civilized taste. 
As might be expected, while it was on board ship the sailors petted their companion 
after their wont, and it was quite familiar with them, showing no fear, and even 
occasionally indulging in a sham fight. But it was struck with unaccountable fright 
at some very harmless creatures that became inmates of the same vessel. They were 
only common turtles, perfectly incapable of doing damage, and destined for soup. But 
the mere sight of them terrified the Orang-outan to such an extent that it ran away 
to the mast-head, and, protruding its lips, uttered a series of strange sounds. A land 
tortoise affected the animal in a similar manner, as also did the sight of a number 
of men bathing and floating in the water. Perhaps there was some connexion in 
the mind of the ape between the turtle and the cayman, which supposition is 
strengthened by the alarm caused by the bathers. I have known a common snail 
cause a great turmoil in a cage of monkeys, and there may possibly be some instinctive 
antipathy between monkeys and crawling animals. 
