192 SUMATRA. [chap. viii. 



the sea there is very little ground elevated above high- 

 water mark ; while for many miles further inland, the 

 banks of the main stream and its numerous tributaries are 

 swampy, and in the wet season flooded for a considerable 

 distance. Palembang is built on a patch of elevated 

 ground, a few miles in extent, on the north bank of the 

 river. At a spot about three miles from the town this 

 rises into a little hill, the top of which is held sacred by 

 the natives, and is shaded by some fine trees, inhabited by 

 a colony of squirrels, which have become half tame. On 

 holding out a few crumbs of bread or any fruit, they come 

 running down the trunk, take the morsel out of your 

 fingers, and dart aAvay instantly. Their tails are carried 

 erect, and the hair, which is ringed with grey, yellow, and 

 brown, radiates uniformly around them, and looks exceed- 

 ingly pretty. They have somewhat of the motions of 

 mice, coming on with little starts, and gazing intently 

 with their large black eyes, before venturing to advance 

 further. The manner in which Malays often obtain the 

 confidence of wild animals is a very pleasing trait in their 

 character, and is due in some degree to the quiet delibera- 

 tion of their manners, and their love of repose rather than 

 of action. The young are obedient to the wishes of their 

 elders, and seem to feel none of that propensity to mischief 

 which European boys exhibit. How long would tame 

 squirrels continue to inhabit trees in the vicinity of an 



