414 JAVA CAT. 



May 18th. The whole of yesterday, the crea- 

 ture was reported as " absent without leave ;" 

 but early this morning he was found in the cabin 

 of the second officer, asleep upon a jacket. He 

 appears sufficiently tame to be left at liberty, so 

 I did not immure him in a cage again, but kept 

 a piece of long string attached to one of the hind 

 legs, so as to limit his extent of range, when I 

 found it necessary. 



Whilst writing in my cabin, the animal was 

 either lying down quietly asleep, or else came to 

 see what I was about, thrusting its little sharp 

 snout among my papers, and amusing himself 

 by playing with my pens and pencils. 



The animal is called Mussong, at Java, 

 and I found it was also known by the same name 

 among the natives on the north-east coast of 

 Sumatra : it licks and cleans its furry coat with 

 the tongue like the cat, especially after it has been 

 much handled ; and seems also to possess the 

 caution and secretiveness of that tribe. It growls 

 savagely when disturbed or teazed. It lapped 

 some coffee one morning, but became sick soon 

 after. 



It seems to be a fretful, impatient, little crea- 

 ture, and when it does not get its wants gra- 

 tified, becomes " terribly out of temper," or 



