74 NATURAL HISTOEY OF 



Neiuhoff,* can only be traced to the same sources 

 with the other unsubstantiated reports concerning 

 them, and become naturally associated, in the minds 

 of the inhabitants, with the hideous forms and im- 

 mense tusks of the larger species. The forest will 

 supply them with nourishment, in the endless variety 

 of fruits and nuts, roots and juicy shrubs. Insects 

 are also greedily devoured by all, and as expertly 

 caught.t The stores of the wild bees furnish another 

 repast, and the eggs, and occasionally the young of 

 birds, is the only approach which can be traced to a 

 carnivorous propensity. 



There are some accounts of the orangs feeding on 

 crabs and -shellfish ; but we are not sure of the autho- 



* " The province of Fohier hath an animal perfectly resembling 

 man, but longer armed, and hairy all over, called Fesse, most swift 

 and greedy aftei human flesh, which, that he may better take his 

 pry, he feigneth laughter, and suddenly, while the person stands 

 listening, seizeth upon him." 



f- A curious manner of feeding, is thus related by Ludolf in his 

 History of Ethiopia : " Of apes there are infinite flocks up and 

 down in the mountains, a thousand and more together. There 

 they leave no stone unturned. If they meet with one that two 

 or three cannot lift, they call for more aid, and all for the sake of 

 the worms that lie under a sort of diet which they relish exceed- 

 ingly. They are very greedy after emmets. So that having found 

 qn emmet hill, they presently surround it, and laying their fore 

 paws, with the hollow downwards, upon the ant heap, as fast as 

 the emmets creep into their. treacherous palms, they lick them off 

 with great comfort to their stomachs ; and there they will lie till 

 rhere is not an emmet left." 



