ZCWLOGICAL SOCIFTV BULLF.TIN 



95 



treme good nature, and naturally mild and 

 passive disposition. 



The achievements of "Rajah," a three- 

 year-old orang-, who during summer de- 

 lighted thousands in the Park, and ultimatel\ 

 succumbed to a strange disease 

 brought in by the giant tortoises, 

 demonstrated the high degree of 

 orang intelligence. Rajah was 

 taught to ride a child's velocipede. 

 He steered the vehicle unaided, and 

 greatly enjoyed the exercise, as he 

 would ride in great circles around 

 the Reptile House for half an hour 

 at a time before attempting to dis- 

 mount. 



His riding lessons comprehend- 

 ed only the short period of about 

 three weeks. At the beginning he 

 was seated upon the vehicle, anil by 

 the shaking of the keeper's finger, 

 ordered to stay there. This he un- 

 derstood. After learning to sit 

 properly, holding the handles in 

 regulation style, his feet were tied 

 to the pedals, and he was guided 

 around by hand. From this time 

 on, the endeavor was made to in- 

 troduce into his mind the idea that 

 the pedals propelled the machine, 

 and that his feet controlled the 

 pedals. 



By the exercise of considerable patience in 

 grasping his feet and the jiedals at the same 

 time, and attracting his attention to the oper- 

 ation, he soon learned to drive the vehicle 

 himself. The steering was acquired involun- 

 tarily, and he soon learned the art of guiding 

 the machine so skillfully that he could ride 

 up to objects that particularly interested him, 

 and go around them, while satisfying his 

 curiosity. It is of pleasant interest to relate 

 that during the time occupied in teaching 

 this animal to ride the velocipede, not a blow 

 was struck, and harsh words seldom found 

 necessary. Patience, and an endeavor to 

 demonstrate what was wanted of him, elicited 

 from Rajah the most hearty co-operation his 

 simian brain was capable of displaying. 



Rajah's greatest achievement was his after- 

 noon meal, on a high platform, in front of 

 the Reptile House. Few performances 

 among wild animals demonstrated greater 

 intelligence on an animal's part than did this. 

 That Rajah as fully understood what was ex- 



pected of him was indisputable. He received 

 no orders or commands during the entire 

 performance, and he displayed a perfect un- 

 derstanding of the various things to be done. 

 The platform was reached b\- an eight-foot 



VOLNi; CHIMPANZF.r,, roi.LV. 



ladder, .\fter being dressed in a diminutive 

 uniform. Rajah was given the word, and 

 placed on the ground near the bottom of the 

 ladder. Climbing quickly to the top, he 

 reached for his small chair, and seated himself 

 at the table. This was always an operation 

 of some deliberation, and culminated in either 

 settling the chair more squarely to the table, 

 or pulling the table toward the chair. Imme- 

 diately grasping a spoon. Rajah began his 

 meal by consuming his bowl of rice. I'pon 

 com])letion of the first course, with grave de- 

 liberation he pushed the bowl toward the 

 centre of the table, laid down the spoon, and 

 began the second course. This consisted of 

 sliced bananas, which he carefully speared 

 with a fork. 



The comjiletion of this course was fol- 

 lowed by milk, which was served in a small 

 teapot. Rajah poured the milk into a small 

 cup, when, setting down the teapot, he would 

 turn his attention to the cup. This last act 

 in the dining performance was always ap- 



