THE BED OE ASIATIC OBANG-OUTANG. 121 



ing from the branches of trees, in passing from one 

 tree to another, and in climbing over the roofs of 

 houses ; on board, in hanging by his arms from the 

 ropes, and in romping with the boys of the ship. 

 He would entice them into play by striking them 

 with his hand as they passed, and bounding from them, 

 but allowing them to overtake him and engage in a 

 mock scuffle, in which he used his hands, feet, and 

 mouth. If any conjecture could be formed from these 

 frolics of his mode of attacking an adversary, it would 

 appear to be his first object to throw him down, then 

 to secure him with his hands and feet, and then wound 

 him with his teeth, 



" Of some small monkeys on board from Java he 

 took little notice, whilst under the observation of the 

 persons in the ship. Once, indeed, he openly attempted 

 to throw a small cage containing three of them over- 

 board ; because, probably, he had seen them receive 

 food of which he could obtain no part. But although 

 he held so little intercourse with them under our in- 

 spection, I had reason to suspect that he was less 

 indifferent to their society when free from our obser- 

 vation, and was one day summoned to the top-gallant 

 yard of the mizen-mast to overlook him playing with 

 a young male monkey. Lying on his back, partially 

 covered with the sail, he for some time contemplated, 

 with great gravity, the gambols of the monkey which 

 bounded over him, but at length caught him by the 



