THE SIAMANG. 31 
moving until forced to do so, and hardly even taking the trouble to put food into its mouth. 
Others give to the Siamaneg the character of being a lively and affectionate creature, soon 
tamed, and attaching itself strongly to those with whom it has made acquaintance, and 
who behave kindly to it. As the latter character has been borne by the Siamang when 
in the possession of those who treated it well, and studied its habits, it is but justic e to 
the creature to give it the credit of good behaviour. 
The SIAMANG is a Sumatran ani- 
mal, and, as far as is known, is found 
in no other spot on the globe. The 
colour of the hair is black, and it 
is so thickly planted, that, although 
it is but short, it conceals the skin, 
except in one or two spots, such as 
the upper part of the breast, where 
the skin can be seen through the 
woolly covering. It is a large ani- 
mal, measuring some three feet in 
height, when it has attained to its 
full erowth. The arms are long, and 
the hands narrow, with slender fin- 
gers covered with the woolly black 
hair as far as the roots of the nails. 
The term Syndactyla, or “joined- 
fingers,” is applied to this ape be- Z PEL OS 
cause the first and second fingers of THE SEAMANG.—Siamanga Synddctyla. 
the hinder limbs are united as far as 
the middle of the second joint. This union of the members is by means of a membrane 
that runs between the fingers, and does not extend to the bones, which when stripped of 
their fleshy coverings are found to be as distinct as those of any other animal. 
There is a curious structure of the throat which is worth notice. This consists of a 
double pouch under the chin and throat, formed by the loose folds of skin. When the 
animal is excited either by anger or pleasure, it inflates these pouches to such a degree, 
that their exterior surface becomes quite glossy. The pouches are without hair. 
At sunrise and sunset, the Siamangs assemble in ereat numbers, under the command 
of a chief who is thought by the natives to be weapon-proof, and, being assembled, 
utter most hideous yells, each striving to outdo the other in their cries. It is supposed 
by some writers that the peculiar resonance of the animal’s cry, is in a great measure 
to be attributed to the throat-pouches above mentioned. M. Vrolik, however, seems 
to be of a different opinion, as has been already noticed in the account of the Orang- 
outan. Except at the beginning and end of the day, the Siamangs are compara- 
tively quiet. 
There is not a very great development of the combative nature in this animal, 
which is timid, unless urged by those feelings which inspire even the weakest and 
mildest creatures with reckless courage. The poor animal has no notion how to 
inflict or avoid a blow; but in defence of its young, when threatened with danger, 
or in revenge for their loss, if slain, the mother Siamang dauntlessly flings herself 
upon the enemy, caring nothing for her own life in comparison with that of her 
offspring. 
When permitted to range unmolested in the woods, the care of the mother Siamang 
for her young affords a ‘Pleasing, and sometimes an amusing spectacle. But the 
father must not be passed over without the tribute of honour due to his paternal 
virtues. Those who have watched the Siamangs as they wandered unrestrainedly, 
say that the parents divide the care of the family between them; the father taking 
care of the male offspring, and the mother of the females. They are properly solicitous 
about the cleanliness of their young charge, and duly wash them, rub and dry them, in 
spite of the screams and struggles of the little ones. 
