28 THE SIAMANG. 



but is evidently :i different species from the Pappan, and not the voting of that animal. Of 

 this ape, Sir J. Brooke says, that it is "a small, slight animal ; by no means formidable in 

 its appearance ; with hands and feet proportioned to the body. They do not approach the 

 gigantic extremities of the Pappan either in size or power ; and, in short, a moderately strong 

 man could readily overpower one ; when he would not stand a shadow of a chance with the 

 Pappan." 



The height of a full-grown Pappan does not seem to be quite so great as has been supposed. 

 Credible informants, however, tell us that they usually grow to the height of five feet, or even 

 more, which, taking into consideration the extreme length of the arms, and the general mus- 

 cular development, gives us a very large ape indeed. Sir J. Brooke was deceived into the 

 belief that one of these animals which he killed was nearly six feet in stature ; but was sur- 

 prised to find when the animal was dead that the height was very much overrated. 



Many of the quadrumanous animals, among which are the large apes, the siamang, many 

 of the tailed monkeys, and the baboons, are furnished with a singular appendage to the throat, 

 which has been carefully investigated by M. Vrolik. This appendage consists of a pouch, 

 varying in form and size, which is connected with the lungs by an opening into the windpipe, 

 and can be dilated with air at the pleasure of the animal. 



The result of his researches is, that the air-pouch is not connected with the voice ; but 

 that it is intended to reduce the specific gravity of the animal, and to assist it in climbing or 

 leaping. The pouch is not a mere hollow sac ; but is furnished with many subordinate recep- 

 tacles, something like a badly made glove, with three or four additional fingers or thumbs. 

 These prolongations lie between the muscles of the throat. They are larger in the male than 

 in the other sex, and increase together with the growth of the animal. In the Orang-outan, 

 these pouches are very largely developed ; much more so than in the chimpanzee. The 

 siamang possesses them of a large size, while the gibbons are without them. 



The generic name Simla, which is applied to these apes, and which serves to distinguish 

 the entire family, is derived from the Greek word Simos, signifying "fiat-nosed." 



THE SIAMANG. 



The accounts of this ape vary extremely. Some authors pronounce the Siamang to be a 

 dull and stupid animal, caring not to distinguish between friends and foes; never moving 

 until forced to do so. and hardly even taking the trouble to put food into its mouth. Others 

 give to the Siamang the character of being a lively and affectionate creature, soon tamed, and 

 attaching itself strongly to those with whom it has made acquaintance, and who behave kindly 

 to it. As tlie latter character has been borne by the Siamang when in the possession of those 

 who treated it well, and studied its habits, it is but justice to the creature to give it the credit 

 of good behavior. 



Tin- Siamang is a Sumatran animal, and, as far as is known, is found in no other spot on 

 tin' globe. The color of the hair is black, and it is so thickly planted, that, although it is but 

 short, it conceals the skin, except in one or two spots, such as the upper part of the breast, 

 where the skin can be seen through the woolly covering. It is a large animal, measuring some 

 three feet in height, when it has attained to its full growth. The arms are long, and the hands 

 narrow, with Blender fingers covered with the woolly black hair as far as the roots of the nails. 

 The term Syndactyla, or "joined -fingers," is applied to this ape because the first and second 

 fingers of the hinder limbs are united as far as the middle of the second joint. This union of 

 tin' members is by means of a membrane that runs between the fingers, and does not extend to 

 the bones, which when stripped of their fleshy coverings are found to be as distinct as those 

 of any other animal. 



There is a curious structure of the throat which is worth notice. This consists of a double 

 pouch under the chin and throat, formed by the loose folds of skin. When the animal is 

 excited either by anger or pleasure, it inflates these pouches to such a degree, that their 



exterior surface becomes quite glossy. The pouches are without hair. 



