ANIMALS. 41 1 



Such these aninuils appeared when brought into Europe. 

 However, many of their extraordinary habits were probably the 

 result of education, and we are not told how lon<^ the instiuctiotis 

 they received for this purpose were continued. But we learn 



cause, probably, lie had seen them receive food, of which lie coiUd obtain no 

 part. But altliotigh he held so little intercourse with them when under our 

 inspection, I had reason to suspect, that he was less indiifereut to their so. 

 fiety when free from our observation ; and was one day summoned to the 

 top-gaUarit-yard of the mizen-mast to overlook him playing with a young 

 male monkey. Lying on his back, partially covered with a sail, he for some 

 time contemplated, ^\•ith great gravity, the gambols of the monkey, which 

 bounded over him : but at length caught him by the tail, and tried to en- 

 velope him in his covering. The monkey seemed to dislike his confinement, 

 and broke from him, but again renewed its gambols, and although frequently 

 caught, always escaped. The intercourse, however, did not seem to be that 

 of equals, for the orau outang never condescended to romp with the mon- 

 key, as he did with the boys of the ship. Yet the monkeys had evidently a 

 great predilection for his company ; for whenever they broke loose, they 

 took their way to his resting-place, and were often seen lurking about it, or 

 creeping clandestinely towards him. There appeared to be no gradation in 

 their intimacy : as they appeared as confidently familiar with liim when 

 lirst observed, as at the close of their acquaintance. 



" But although so gentle when not exceedingly irritated, the oran outang 

 could be excited to violent rage, wliich he expressed by opening liis mouth, 

 showing his teeth, and seizing and biting those who were near him. Some- 

 times, indeed, he seemed almost driven to desperation : and, on two or three 

 occasions, committed an act, which in a rational being, would have been 

 called the threatening of suicide. If repeatedly refused an orange when he 

 attempted to take it, he would shriek violently, and swing furiously about 

 the ropes ; then return and endeavour to obtain it : if again refused, he 

 would roll for some time like an angry child upon the deck, uttering the 

 most piercing screams; and then suddenly starting up, rush furiously over 

 the side of the ship and disappear. On first witnessing this act, we thought 

 that he had thrown himself into the sea; but, on a seaich being made, found 

 him concealed under the chains. 



" This animal neither practises the grimaces and antics of other monkeys, 

 nor possesses their perpetual proiieness to mischief. Gravity, approacliing 

 to melancholy, and mildness, were sometimes strongly expressed in his 

 countenance, and seem to be the characteristics of his disposition. When 

 he first came among strangers, he would sit for hours with his hand upon 

 his head, looking pensively at all around him ; and ^\hen much incommoded 

 by their examination, would hide himself beneath any covering that was at 

 hand. His mildness was evinced by his forbearance under injuries, which 

 ivere grievous before he was excited to revenge : but he always a\oided 

 those Avho often teased him. He soon became strongly attached to those 

 who kindly used him. By their side he was fond of sitting; and getting a,s 

 clo^e as possible to their persons, would take their hands between his lips, 

 and fly to them for protection. From the boatswain of the Alceste, who 

 ehared his meals with him, and was his chief favourite, although he sonie- 



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