16 WILD BEASTS OF THE WORLD 



Hoolocks are thoroughly nice animals, quite different from ordinary 

 monkeys, and most people like them in consequence ; they become very 

 affectionate, and are little inclined to mischief; they may, however, 

 ultimately become spiteful, especially to human beings of their own 

 sex ; and for this reason those allowed liberty in Calcutta had to be 

 shut up in the end. 



The proper way to treat them would be to give them a large warm 

 indoor house, with a structure like a big aviary outside, in which they 

 could pass their time in fine weather. 



There are several other species of Gibbons, but all have a very close 

 resemblance to the Hoolock in appearance and general habits, with 

 the exception of the Siamang of Sumatra (Hylobates syndactylus), which 

 is more distinct. The colour variation seen in the Hoolock is repeated 

 in other species ; and an example of the Hainan Gibbon (Hylobates 

 hainamis) in the London Zoological Gardens actually changed from 

 sooty to straw colour. This creature had a stiff arm, but one had to 

 look closely to notice this, as it swung itself about so freely with the 

 sound limb that the defect was not at all obvious. 



The Siamang is the largest of the Gibbons, reaching three feet in 

 height, and the most stoutly built ; it is always black all over, and has 

 an enlargement of the throat, formed by the presence of a vocal sac ; 

 its note is loud and powerful, and must be very different from the 

 whoop of the Hoolock, as it is described as a loud barking howl. 



The Siamang is rare in captivity, and has been credited with a 

 morose disposition by several observers ; but this was not the case 

 with a young specimen possessed by Dr. H. O. Forbes when in 

 Sumatra, whose character was the height of amiability. It even bore 

 him no grudge for pain inflicted on it in lancing boils and extracting 

 teeth while it was teething, and it much appreciated the use of an 

 umbrella as a sunshade, crying for this to be given it if there was any 

 sign of its being forgotten. Such intelligence shows that the creature 

 has a reasonable idea of what is for its welfare, and ranks the Siamang 

 high among the lower animals in mental power. 



