i8o An Orang Hunt in Borneo 



it ever attempted to bite was when it was being taken away 

 to its box. Many a frolic we had and many a pleasant half hour 

 I spent, while watching its quaint ways. On one occasion while 

 riding in an uncovered boat, it began to rain. The little orang, 

 which had been sitting by my side, seemingly lost in deep 

 thought, quietly reached over and attempted to take from me 

 the paper I was reading. This I resisted for a while, but as it 

 persisted I let it have it to see what new whim it had in mind. 

 The paper was carefully pulled over its head and arranged 

 as a shelter, next followed my broad-brimmed sun hat which 

 was lying near, and there sat the little fellow, quite happy in 

 having a good protection against the rain. Many such acts 

 of intelligence led me to become quite attached to my little pet,, 

 and it was a sad day indeed when he sickened and died. 



Just a few words in regard to the size attained by the orang- 

 outang. Mr. Hornaday in his book discusses the question at 

 length, citing Mr. Alfred R. Wallace in his work on the "Malay 

 Archipelago." Mr. Wallace places the maximum size of spec- 

 imens seen by him, or by reliable authorities, at 4 ft. 2 in. Mr. 

 Hornaday records no less than seven specimens collected by 

 himself, that exceeded this height, the largest being 4 ft. 6 in. 

 While at Saudakan for a few days, I was told by Mr. W. B. 

 Pryer, a well-known resident of British North Borneo, of an 

 orang that had been killed and measured, whose height was 

 4 ft. 10 in. As this information was perfectly reliable, I was 

 prepared somewhat against surprise when I succeeded in getting 

 three specimens over 4 ft. 6 in. in height. One of these was 4 

 ft. 6>4 in., another 4 ft. 8>^ in., and the third 4 ft. 10% in. 



As I had Mr. Hornaday 's book with me, and therefore his 

 figures, I was particular to make all measurements in conformity 

 with the rules he gives, repeating two or three times the prin- 

 cipal measurements to avoid error. The measurements of the 

 largest orang I secured in Borneo, as taken at the time, are : 



Length, head to heel ^ it loU in. 



Spread to arms 8" 3>^ 



Length of arm 3 " 7 



" hand •• i " }4 



" foot I " 2}4 " 



Breadth of face ; i ,' i 



