ANIMATED NATURE. 77 



Wild pigs are very plentiful, though they are con- 

 stantly beset by the Dyaks and their traps in every jun- 

 gle, so that it is astonishing that they have not been 

 long since exterminated. They are of two kinds the 

 large, long-legged, and bristly brown pig, which is 

 found most abundant near the sea shore, and the white, 

 short-legged, and round-bodied pig of the interior. 

 This is perhaps a mere variety of the Chinese breed, 

 which has run wild, as it very much resembles those 

 kept by these people. The flesh of both kinds is 

 highly esteemed by the Dyaks, particularly at certain 

 seasons when the fruits are ripe, as then the animal 

 becomes fat, and its flesh of a better flavour. 



Though the tiger itself is a stranger to the island, a 

 kind of panther (Felis macrocelis) exists, but it is not 

 of a sanguinary description, nor does its size render it 

 dangerous. In appearance it is very similar to the hunt- 

 ing-chita of India. Many species of cat amongst them 

 the tiger- cat are found. Some of them are fine and 

 beautiful animals. Two or three kinds of otters, the 

 civet-cat, and the pole-cat are common. The sloth is 

 also known by the name of ' ka-malasan/ a word having 

 the same signification as our term, which is, perhaps, 

 but a translation of the Malayan one. The great ant- 

 eater (Manis), called by the Malays ' peng-goling,' or 

 the animal which rolls itself up, which this animal 

 does, like the hedgehog, being in this position better 

 defended by the scales with which its body is 

 covered, is also to be found here. Many kinds of 

 Lemur are seen in the woods. Some of the flying ones, 

 particularly a long-tailed species (a species of Pteromys) 



