m] MONKEYS 



swinging itself along at such a pace when frightened that it gives 

 one the impression of a flying mammal. Apart from the orang 

 utan, 1 of which at first we were unable to obtain specimens, the 

 most singular of the Quadrumana in Borneo is the long-nosed ape 

 (Nasalis larvatus), a large species with reddish fur, and of most singular 

 and ridiculous aspect. It is, with the exception of the rare and little 

 known Rhinopithecus of Mupin, the only monkey which possesses a 

 prominent nose, a peculiarity which has struck the fancy of the 

 Malays, who have given it the nickname of orang blanda, or Dutch- 

 man (Fig. 10). A very young specimen which I kept alive was the 



Fig. 10. — head of proboscis monkey, Nasalis laruatus. 



funniest of comic creatures, with a long nose as pink as that of a 

 child, but bigger in proportion than that of a full-grown man. 

 I had often met with this curious creature on the big trees 

 along the river near the town, feeding on the fruits of the " Kayu 

 peddada" botanically, Sonneratia lanceolata, for which they have a 

 special predilection, and which, indeed, form their principal food. 

 During the daytime they keep to the shelter of the jungle, but to- 

 wards evening they usually approach the river, where they find an 

 abundance of their favourite food, and usually prefer to pass the 

 night. 



Why amongst all apes, with the sole exception above mentioned, 

 this one should alone be provided with a long, prominent, and fleshy 



1 " Utan " in Malay means " wood ;" thus " Orang-utan" means " man 

 of the woods," or " wild man." 



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