152 HUNTING ADVENTURES. 



cheiroped shipmate to commit suicide ; but, on searching, they 

 found him concealed under the chains. 



The individuals, however, brought to this country, give but a 

 faint idea of the size and appearance of a full-grown OurangOutang 

 Mr. Owen, in his highly interesting memoir on the osteology of 

 this species and the Chimpanzee, gives the height of the Ourang 

 Outang as under five feet ; but, according to Dr. Abel, its stature 

 when adult *3, sometimes at least, much beyond that limit. 



In the a Asiatic Researches," the Doctor lays before us an 

 account of a scene in which one of these unfortunate Ourangs was 

 a principal actor, or rather sufferer; an account which no one can 

 read without pain : 



A party from a brig had, it appears, landed at Ramboon, on 

 the northwest coast of Sumatra, to procure water. The place 

 was much cultivated, and there were but few trees ; on one of 

 these trees they discovered a gigantic animal. They approached, 

 and he came to the ground. They pursued, and he made for 

 another tree at some distance, presenting to his pursuers a tail 

 man-like figure covered with a fell of shining brown hair, moving 

 almost erect with a wtiddling gait, sometimes assisting his progress 

 with his hands, and sometimes by the impulse of a bough which 

 he held. On gaining a small clump, he sprang at a bound to a 

 lofty branch, and passed from one limb of the tree to another with 

 the greatest ease and alacrity. They felt that, if the country had 

 been well wooded, he must, in all probability, have escaped ; foi 

 he travelled from tree to tree with the swiftness of a horse on the 

 ground. Confined as he was to only a few trees, his movements 

 were so quick that it was very difficult to take aim, and it was not 

 till his hunters had cut down one tree after another, that they were 

 able effectually to begin their butcher-work. Five balls pierced the 

 wretched creature before his exertions relaxed ; then, reclining 

 apparently exhausted, on one of the branches, he copiously 

 vomitted blood. Still he held on ; and their ammunition being 

 all expended, they proceeded to cut down the tree, convinced that 

 he was so far gone that they could then secure him without 

 trouble. The tree nodded to its fall; but, as it was falling, they 



