THE SIAMANG. 



moving until forced to do so, and hardly even taking the trouble to put food into its 

 mouth. Others gave to the Siamang the character of being a lively and affectionate 

 creature, soon tamed, and attaching itself strongly to those with whom it has made 

 acquaintance, and who behave kindly to it. As the latter character has been borne by 

 the Siamang when in the possession of those who treated it well, and studied its habits, 

 it is but justice to the creature to give it the credit of good behavior. 



The SIAMANG is a Sumatran 

 animal, and, as far as is known, 

 is found in no other spot on the 

 globe. The color of the hair is 

 black, and it is so thickly planted, 

 that, although it is but short, it 

 conceals the skin, except in one 

 or two spots, such as the upper 

 part of the breast, where the skin 

 can be seen through the woolly 

 covering. It is a large animal, 

 measuring some three feet in 

 height, when it has attained to its 

 full growth. The arms are long, 

 and the hands narrow, with 

 slender fingers covered with the 

 woolly black hair as far as the roots 

 of the nails. The term Syndactyla, 

 or " joined-fingers," is applied to 

 this ape because the first and 



THE SIAMANG. Slamaaga Syndactyla. 



second fingers of the hinder limbs 



are united as far as the middle 



of the second joint. This union of the members is by means of a membrane that 



runs between the fingers, and does not extend to the bones, which when stripped of 



their fleshy coverings are found to be as distinct as those of any other animal. 



There is a curious structure of the throat which is worth notice. This consists of a 

 double pouch under the chin and throat, formed by the loose folds of skin. When the 

 animal is excited either by anger, or pleasure, it inflates these pouches to such a degree, 

 that their exterior surface becomes quite glossy. The pouches are without hair. 



At sunrise and sunset, the Siamangs assemble in great numbers, under the command 

 of a chief who is thought by the natives to be weapon-proof, and, being assembled, 

 utter most hideous yells, each striving to outdo the other in their cries. It is supposed 

 by some writers that the peculiar resonance of the animal's cry, is in a great measure 

 to be attributed to the throat-pouches above mentioned. M. Vrolik, however, seems 

 to be of a different opinion, as has been already noticed in the account of the Orang- 

 outan. Except at the beginning and end of the day, the Siamangs are comparatively 

 quiet. 



There is not a very great development of the combative nature in this animal, 

 which is timid, unless urged by those feelings which inspire even the weakest and 

 mildest creatures with reckless courage. The poor animal has no notion how to 

 inflict or avoid a blow ; but in defence of its young, when threatened with danger, 

 or in revenge for their loss, if slain, the mother Siamang dauntlessly flings herself 

 upon the enemy, caring nothing for her own life in comparison with that of her 

 offspring. 



When permitted to range unmolested in the woods, the care of the mother Siamang 

 for her young affords a pleasing, and sometimes an amusing spectacle. But the 

 father must not be passed over without the tribute of honor due to his paternal 

 virtues. Those who have watched the Siamangs as they wandered unrestrainedly, 

 say that the parents divide the care of the family between them ; the father taking 

 care of the male offspring and the mother of the females. They are properly solicitous 

 about the cleanliness of their young charge, and duly wash them, rub and dry them in 

 spite of the screams and struggles of the little ones. 



