J84 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



M;inncrs of the ourang outang in confinement. 



exceedingly mild and gentle. Those that he 

 knew on board the vessel that brought him over 

 he would embrace with the greatest tenderness ; 

 and, although there were monkeys aboard, yet it 

 was observed, he never would associate with any 

 of them, but seemed to hold them in contempt, 

 and always avoided their company. He used 

 sometimes to wear clothes, and at length became 

 very fond of them. He would even put part of 

 them on without help, and carry the remainder 

 in his hands to some of the ship's company for 

 assistance. He would lie in bed, place his head 

 on a pillow, and pull up the bed-clothes to keep 

 himself warm, exactly as a man. 



Of the ourang outang brought into Holland in 

 the year 1776, M. Vosmaer has given the follow- 

 ing account : " This animal was a female : its 

 height was about two Rhenish feet and a half. 

 It showed no symptoms of fierceness or malig- 

 nity, and was even of a somewhat melancholy 

 appearance. It was fond of company, and 

 evinced such a predilection for those who took 

 daily care of it, that when they retired, it would 

 throw itself on the ground, as if in despair, utter- 

 ing lamentable cries, and tearing in pieces the 

 linen within its reach. Its keeper, having some- 

 times been accustomed to sit near it on the 

 ground, it frequently took the hay of its bed, 

 and laid it by its side, as if inviting him to be 

 seated near. Its usual manner of walking was 

 on all fours, like other apes ; but it could also 



