THE GIBBONS. 

 ^ 



It seems to be a general rule, that when an animal is peculiarly adapted for one 

 mode of life, displaying singular powers therein, it is quite at a loss when placed in an 

 uncongenial condition. The bats, for example, are awkward and helpless animals 

 when placed on a level surface ; so are many of the swift-winged birds, such as the 

 albatross, the frigate-bird, and others, while the diving-birds are just as clumsy on 

 land as they are agile in the water. So it is with the Siamang, for its great length 

 of limb, that gives it such powers of locomption among trees, forms a serious impedi- 

 ment to its progress on level ground. Among the trees the Siamang is unapproach- 

 able ; and although not quite so active as the gibbons, is yet sufficiently so to be 

 perfectly secure from pursuit. But let the creature once descend to earth, and it is so 

 embarrassed by its long limbs that it can be overtaken and captured with ease. 

 Indeed, those specimens that have been taken unhurt, have almost invariably been 

 made prisoners while struggling to regain the shelter of the trees. 



One of these animals was for some time an inmate of a ship, where it became quite 

 companionable, and gained the affections of passengers and crew. So far from exhib- 

 iting the sullen and sluggish demeanor which has been attributed to this ape, the 

 Siamang displayed great activity and quickness, skipping about the ropes, and given 

 to harmless tricks. It took a fancy to a little Papuan girl who was on board, and 

 would sit with its arms round her neck, eating biscuit with her. It was of an inquisi- 

 tive nature, running up the rigging, and watching from its elevated position a passing 

 vessel, and remaining there until the ship was out of sight. In temper it was rather 

 uncertain, and apt to fly into a passion if opposed in any wish. 



When thus excited, it would fling itself down, just like a naughty, spoiled child, roll 

 about the deck with great contortion of limbs and face, strike at everything which 

 came in its way, and scream incessantly, with a sound like " Ra ! ra ! ra ! " 



It had a strange predilection for ink, and in order to procure this remarkable dainty, 

 would drain the ink-bottle whenever there was an opportunity for so doing, or suck the 

 pens in default of the liquid itself. Being itself destitute of a tail, and feeling no fear 

 of reprisals in that direction, the Siamang used to make very free with the tails of some 

 monkeys that lived on board of the same vessel. Catching an unfortunate monkey 

 by its caudal appendage, away went Ungka, as the ape was named, dragging the monkey 

 after him along the deck, until the wretched animal writhed itself free from its tor- 

 mentor. At another time, Ungka would carry the monkey by the tail up the rigging, 

 in spite of its squeaks and struggles, and them quietly let it drop. 



It was sensitive to ridicule ; and when its feelings were hurt, it used to inflate its 

 throat until it resembled a huge wen, and looked seriously at the offenders, uttering 

 hollow barks at intervals. This sound seemed to be used for the purpose of expressing 

 irritation. Anger was expressed by the shrieking " Ra ! ra ! " and pleasure by a kind 

 of mixture between a squeak and a chirp. 



For the account of this animal we are indebted to Mr. Bennett, who has re- 

 lated many other traits indicative of its character. Sir S. Raffles possessed several 

 specimens of this ape, and describes them as being social in their manners, and of an 

 intelligent nature. Although they were powerful animals, they were gentle, and showed 

 themselves to be pleased with the society of those persons to whom they were at- 

 tached. 



THE GIBBONS. 



ALTHOUGH in their physical characters the GIBBONS bear much resemblance to the 

 apes which have already been described, yet there are some peculiarities in form and 

 anatomy which show them to be a link of transition between the great apes, and the 

 lesser monkeys and baboons. 



They possess, although in a small degree, those singular callosities on the hinder 

 quarters which are so conspicuous in the baboon family, and assume such strange 



