MAMMALIA—ORANG OUTANG. 73 
which bounded over him; but at length caught him by the tail, and tried to 
envelope him in his covering. The monkey seemed to dislike his confine- 
ment, and broke from him, but again renewed his 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 intimacy; as they appeared as confidently fami- 
liar with him when first observed, as at the close of their acquaintance. 
“But although so gentle when not exceedingly irritated, the orang outang 
would be excited to violent rage, which he expressed by opening his mouth, 
showing his teeth, and seizing and biting those who were near him. Some- 
times, indeed, he seemed 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 refused an orange when he 
attempted to take it, he would shriek violently, and swing furiously about 
the ropes ; then return and endeavor to obtain it: if again refused, he would 
roll for some time like an angry ehild upon the deck, uttering the most 
piercing screams; and then suddenly starting up, rush furiously over the 
side of the ship and disappear. On first witnessing this act, we thought 
that he had thrown himself into the sea; but, on a search being made, 
found him concealed under the chains. 
“This animal neither practices the grimaces and antics of other monkeys, 
nor possesses their perpetual proneness to mischief. Gravity, approaching 
to melancholy, and mildness, were sometimes strongly expressed in his 
countenance, and seem to be the characteristics of his disposition. When 
he first came among strangers, he would sit for hours with his hand upon 
his head, looking pensively at all around him; and when much incommoded 
by their examination, would hide himself beneath any covering that was at 
hand. His mildness was evinced by his forbearance under injuries, which 
were grievous before he was excited to revenge; but he always avoided 
those who often teazed him. He soon became strongly attached to those 
who used him kindly. By their side he was fond of sitting; and getting as 
close as possible to their persons, would take their hands between his lips, 
and fly to them for protection. From the boatswain of the Alceste, who 
shared his meals with him, and was his chief favorite, although he some- 
times purloined the grog and the biscuit of his benefactor, he learned te 
eat with a spoon; and might be often seen sitting at his cabin door, enjoy- 
ing his coffee, quite unembarrassed by those who observed him, and with 
a grotesque and sober air, that seemed.a burlesque on human nature. 
“Next to the boatswain, I was, perhaps, his most intimate acquaintance. 
He would always follow me to the mast-head, waitier I often went for the 
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