QUADRUMANA. 66 



middle finger, are united as far as the nail joint by a 

 membrane. The skull is small and flattened, the 

 eyes deep sunk, the nose flat with wide nostrils, the 

 gape of the mouth nearly as wide as that of the jaws, 

 almost literally "from ear to ear." The ears are 

 scarcely apparent. It is covered with long, glossy, 

 black hair, except on the face and the breasts of 

 the female, which are naked, but black. Under the 

 throat are two folds of skin, forming a sac connected 

 with the windpipe, which it has the power of in- 

 flating when it cries, and by means of which its 

 terrific voice is said to be audible for several miles. 

 In Sumatra, the Siamangs assemble in large troops, 

 led according to report, by vigilant and bold chiefs, 

 which at sunrise and sunset fill the forests with their 

 frightful cries. During the day, however, unless 

 disturbed, they repose in profound silence. When 

 surprised on the ground, they are easily caught, as 

 their motion is slow and difficult ; contrary to the 

 usual habits of the order, a wounded individual is 

 abandoned to his fate, unless it be a young one, 

 when maternal affection, often beautifully manifest 

 where else there is little that is amiable, prevails 

 over personal safety. It is said that the parental 

 care of their young extends to actions which we 

 should hardly look for ; even washing, rubbing and 

 drying them in spite of the pettish cries of the sable 

 infant, with a business-like gravity that is highly lu- 

 dicrous and amusing. Duvaucel affirms that though 

 easily reconciled to confinement, its tameness is that 

 of apathy : indifferent even to its food, it allows it 



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