32 THE GIBBONS. 
It seems to be a general rule, that when an animal is peculiarly adapted for one 
mode of life, displaying singular powers therein, it is quite at a loss when placed in an 
uncongenial condition. The bats, for example, are awkward and helpless animals 
when placed on a level surface; so are many of the swift-winged birds, such as the 
albatross, the frigate-bird, and others, while the diving-birds are just as clumsy on 
land as they are agile in the water. So it is with the Siamang, for its great length 
of limb, that gives it such powers of locomotion among trees, forms a serious impediment 
to its progress on level ground. Among the trees the Siamang is unapproachable ; 
and although not quite so active as the gibbons, is yet sufficiently so to be perfectly 
secure from pursuit. But let the creature once descend to earth, and it is so embarrassed 
by its long limbs that it can be overtaken and captured with ease. Indeed, those 
specimens that have been taken unhurt, have almost invariably been made prisoners 
while struggling to regain the shelter of the trees. 
One of these animals was for some time an inmate of a ship, where it became quite 
companionable, and gained the affections of passengers and crew. So far from exhibiting 
the sullen and sluggish demeanour which has been attributed to this ape, the Siamang 
displayed great activity and quickness, skipping about the ropes, and given to harmless 
tricks. It took a fancy to a little Papuan girl who was on board, and would sit 
with its arms round her neck, eating biscuit with her. It was of an inquisitive 
nature, running up the rigging, and watching from its elevated position a passing vessel, 
and remaining there until the ship was out of sight. In temper it was rather uncertain, 
and apt to fly into a passion if opposed in any wish. 
When thus excited, it would fling itself down, just like a naughty, spoiled child, 
roll about the deck with great contortion of limbs and face, strike at everything which 
came in its way, and scream incessantly, with a sound like “ Ra! ra! ra!” 
It had a strange predilection for ink, and in order to procure this remarkable dainty, 
would drain the ink-bottle whenever there was an opportunity of so doing, or suck the 
pens in default of the liquid itself. Being itself destitute of a tail, and feeling no fear 
of reprisals in that direction, the Siamang used to make very free with the tails of some 
monkeys that lived on board of the same vessel. Catching an unfortunate monkey by its 
caudal appendage, away went Ungka, as the ape was named, dragging the monkey after 
him along the deck, until the wretched animal writhed itself free from its tormentor. At 
another time, Ungka would carry the monkey by the tail up the rigging, in spite 
of its squeaks and struggles, and then quietly let it drop. 
It was sensitive to ridicule; and when its feelings were hurt, it used to inflate 
its throat until it resembled a huge wen, and looked seriously at the offenders, uttering 
hollow barks at intervals. This sound seemed to be used for the purpose of expressing 
uritation. Anger was expressed by the shrieking “Ra! ra!” and pleasure by a kind of 
mixture between a squeak and a chirp. 
For the account of this animal we are indebted to Mr. Bennett, who has related 
many other traits indicative of its character. Sir S. Raffles possessed several specimens 
of this ape, and describes them as being social in their manners, and of an intelligent 
nature. Although they were powerful animals, they were gentle, and showed themselves 
to be pleased with the society of those persons to whom they were attached. 
THE GIBBONS. 
ALTHOUGH in their physical characters the GrBBoNs bear much resemblance to the 
apes which have already been described, yet there are some peculiarities in form and 
anatomy which show them to be a link of transition between the great apes, and the 
lesser monkeys and baboons. 
They possess, although in a small degree, those singular callosities on the hinder 
quarters which are so conspicuous in the baboon family, and assume such strange 
