62 Notices respecting New Books. 



which has afforded the preceding details, was taken, while very . 

 young, in the forests of the province of Keddu, and was con- 

 veyed to the residency at Magellan, in the year 1815 or 1816. 

 By kind treatment it soon became domesticated to such a de- 

 gree, that it permitted itself to be carried in a large vehicle 

 resembling a cart to the capital of Surakarta. I saw it during 

 its conveyance, and found it perfecdy mild and tractable. At 

 Surakarta it was confined in the large area or square which 

 bounds the entrance to the royal residence. A deep ditch 

 about three feet wide limited its range ; and for several years 

 it never attempted to pass it. It was perfectly reconciled to its 

 confinement, and never exhibited any symptoms of uneasiness 

 or rao-e, although, on its first arrival, harassed in various ways, 

 by a large proportion of the inhabitants of a populous capital, 

 whose curiosity induced them to inspect the stranger of the 

 forest. Branches of trees, shrubs, and various twining plants 

 were abundantly provided for its food ; of these the species of 

 Cissus, and the small twigs of a native fig-tree were preferred. 

 But plantains were the most favourite food ; and the abundant 

 manner in which it was supplied widi these, by the numerous 

 visitors, tended greatly to make the animal mild and sociable. 

 It allowed itself to be handled and examined freely, and the 

 more darinw of the visitors sometimes mounted on its back. 

 It required copious supplies of water ; and when not taking 

 food, or intentionally roused by the natives, it generally placed 

 itself in the large excavations, which its movements soon 

 caused in the soft earth that covered the allotted space. The 

 animal rapidly increased in size: in the year 1817, having 

 been confined at Surakarta about nine or ten months, the di- 

 mensions, as already stated, were nine feet in length, and four 

 feet three inches in height at the rump. In 1821 it had ac- 

 quired the height of five feet seven inches. This information 

 I received from my friend Mr. Stavers, who is now in En- 

 gland, on a visit from the interior of Java; and he favoured 

 me further with the following details, which complete the hi- 

 story of the individual whose figure is annexed to this article. 

 Having considerably increased in size, the ditch of three feet 

 in breadth was insufficient for confining it; but leaving the 

 inclosure, it frequently passed to the dwellings of the natives, 

 destroying the plantations of fruit-trees and culinary vegetables, 

 which always surround them. It likewise terrified those na- 

 tives that accidentally met with it, and who were unacquainted 

 with its appearance and habits. But it showed no ill-natured 

 disposition, and readily allowed itself to be driven back to the 

 inclosure, like a Buffalo. The excessive excavations which it 

 made by continually wallowing in the niirc, and the accuniu- 



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