MAMMALIA— SIAMANG. 



77 



the fruit that was presented to it ; it was very averse to cold and wet 

 weather, and did not long live after being brought from its native country. 

 It is a native of the East Indies, and particularly, found along the coasts 

 of Coromandel, Malacca, and the Molucca Islands. 



THE SIAMANG.i 



These animals are black all over, and have two naked folds of skin on 

 the neck, which are occasionally inflated. The hair is long and soft. They 

 are very common in Sumatra. They are generally found assembled in large 

 troops, conducted, it is said, by a chief, whom the Malays believe invulnera- 

 ble. Thus assembled at sunrise, and again at sunset, they vie with each 

 other in making the most dreadful cries, perfectly stunning to those accus- 

 tomed to them, and frightful in the highest degree to strangers, Al all 

 other times they appear to be perfectly quiet, as long at least as they are 

 undisturbed. 



Maternal affection will triumph over every other passion, and the mother 

 of a young one, which has been wounded, will iinmediately throw away, 

 her life in an attack on an enemy. This affection is also displayed under 

 more pleasing circumstances, and their care of the persons of their young 



* Pithecus syrutactylus. 



