THE MONKEY TRIBE 



specimens have ever found their way into captivity, for it 

 seldom frequents the ground to afford an opportunity for 

 its capture, and among the trees it is almost as difficult to 

 catch as a bird. 



In Sumatra the name of Ungka is frequently used for 

 more than one variety of Gibbon. It properly belongs to 



the Siamang, which possesses a 

 feature that is absent in its near 

 relations. ' Syndactylus ' signifies 

 'joined fingers/ and the Ungka 

 ape has the first and second toes 

 joined by a membrane as far as 

 the second joint. The animal 

 has a dark skin covered with 

 stiff hair, which is practically jet 

 black. 



Grave of manner and mild of 

 temper, the Gibbons are easily 

 domesticated. An adult Siamang 

 on board a ship bound for 

 England greatly interested the 

 passengers. He was found to 

 be fond of animal food, especi- 

 ally fowls. Spirits and wine 

 he refused, but tea and coffee 

 he accepted with avidity. He 

 appeared to be still fonder of 

 ink, and he constantly drained 

 the inkstands and never omitted 

 to suck a pen-nib that came 

 within his reach. His temper 

 was not easily roused, and his 

 affectionate nature was con- 

 stantly evinced in his fondness for play, in which he 

 always preferred children to adults. 



There were other monkeys aboard who refused to 

 acknowledge the Siamang as belonging to their kindred. 

 Probably they despised him on account of his lack of a 

 tail. He speedily taught them that a caudal appendage 

 may be a distinct disadvantage. He would seize one of 



SKELETON OF THE SIAMANG. 



