122 THE NATURAL HISTOBY OP 



tail, and tried to envelope him in his covering. The 

 monkey seemed to dislike the confinement, and broke 

 from him, but again renewed its gambols, and although 

 frequently caught, always escaped. The intercourse, 

 however, did not seem to be that of equals, for the 

 orang-outang never condescended to romp with the 

 monkey as he did with the boys of the ship. Yet the 

 monkeys had evidently a great predilection for his 

 company ; for whenever they broke loose, they took 

 their way to his resting-place, and were often seen 

 lurking about it, or creeping clandestinely towards 

 him. There appeared to be no gradation in their in- 

 timacy ; as they appeared as confidently familiar with 

 him when first observed as at the close of their 

 acquaintance. 



" But although so gentle when not exceedingly 

 irritated, the orang-outang could be excited to violent 

 rage, which he expressed by opening his mouth, showing 

 his teeth, seizing and biting those who were near him. 

 Sometimes, indeed, he seemed to.be almost driven to 

 desperation ; and on two or three occasions committed 

 an act which, in a rational being, would have been 

 called the threatening of suicide. If repeatedly re- 

 fused an orange when he attempted to take it, he 

 would shriek violently and swing furiously about the 

 ropes; then return and endeavour to obtain it; if 

 again refused, he would roll for some time like an 

 angry child upon the deck, uttering the most piercing 



