404 QUADRUMANA. 



When sitting on the branch of a tree, or on a rope, he rested on his heals, 

 with his body leaning forward against his thighs. 



The following is the substance of the account given by Dr. Abel, of this 

 animal's habits and manners, while resident in Java, and during the voyage 

 thence to England. (Narrative of a Journey in the Interior of China, <^c.) 

 He neither practised the grimaces and antics of Monkeys, nor displayed 

 their perpetual proneness to mischief. Gravity, approaching to melancholy, 

 and mildness, were sometimes strongly expressed in his countenance, and 

 appeared to be the characteristics of his disposition. When among 

 strangers, he would sit for hours with his hand upon his head, looking pen- 

 sively at all around him ; and, if much incommoded by their examination, 

 he would hide himself beneath any covering that was at hand. He dis- 

 played much forbearance under injuries, but avoided those by whom he 

 had been often teased. To the persons who treated him with kindness he 

 soon became much attached : he was fond of sitting beside them ; and, 

 getting as close as possible to their persons, would take their hands 

 between his lips. But, though usually gentle, he was susceptible of being 

 excited to great rage, which he expressed by opening his mouth, dis- 

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

 On being confined in a bamboo cage, he grasped the rails, and violently 

 endeavoured to break them ; finding they did not yield generally, he 

 tried them separately ; and, discovering one weaker than the rest, worked 

 at it constantly, until he succeeded in breaking it, and so making his 

 escape. He was always very impatient for food, and became passionate 

 if it were not soon supplied. " Sometimes," says Dr. Abel, " I fastened 

 an orange to the end of a rope, and lowered it to the deck from the 

 mast-head, and, as soon as he attempted to seize it, drew it rapidly up : 

 after being several times foiled in endeavouring to obtain it by direct 

 means, he altered his plan : appearing to care but little about it, he would 

 remove to some distance, and ascend the rigging very leisurely for some 

 time, and then, by a sudden spring, catch the rope which held it. If de- 

 feated again, by my suddenly jerking the rope, he would, at first, seem 

 quite in despair, relinquish his effort, and rush about the rigging, scream- 

 ing violently : but he would always return ; and, again seizing the rope, 

 disregard the jerk, and allow it to run through his hand till within reach 

 of the orange ; but, if again foiled, would come to my side, and, taking 

 me by the arm, confine it whilst he hauled the orange up." Sometimes 

 he seemed to be almost driven to desperation ; and, on two or three occa- 

 sions, committed an act that, in a human being, might have been denomi- 

 nated a threat of suicide. If repeatedly refused an orange, he would 

 shriek violently, and swing furiously about the rigging ; then return, and 

 endeavour once more to obtain the fruit : if again refused, roll for some 

 time, like an angry child, on the deck ; and, at length, suddenly starting up, 



