168 EAMBLES OF A NATTJEALIST. [On. XI. 



is the most remarkable of these ; but appears to be local in 

 its distribution, and in a manner difficult to account for. I 

 was somewhat disappointed at seeing no sign of them up 

 the Sarawak river ; and afterwards learned that they never 

 frequent that river, though they descend the neighbouring 

 Sadong river in the fruit season ; and I met with those who 

 had frequently seen them there, and who assured me that 

 they measured fuUy five feet in height. Fortunately, how- 

 ever, they do not attack man without provocation ; though, 

 if molested, they will show fight, and hand to hand 

 encounters not unfrequently take place between them and the 

 owners of the fields which they invade. Their teeth are then 

 their chief weapons of defence, and it is no uncommon thing 

 to see a man who has lost a finger or two in these unequal 

 combats. 



Within two miles of Labuan, and between it and the 

 mainland, is a smaU island, Pulo Daat, which, on the forma- 

 tion of the settlement was covered with juiagle, in which 

 that very handsome and remarkable species the Kahau, or 

 Proboscis Monkey (Nasalis larvatus) at one time abounded. 

 It is called Bangkdtan by the Malays, and is well known 

 upon the adjacent coast. This beautiful species has never 

 been seen alive in England, and the specimens of it which 

 are found in our museums give but a faint idea of the richly- 

 coloured and glossy coat of which the living animal boasts. 

 They are very shy and difficult of approach, and when 

 disturbed are very fierce, being armed with remarkably large 

 canine teeth.. Several attempts have been made by the 

 officials resident at Labuan to keep the Kahau in confine- 

 ment. It has not been difficult to procure young animals, 

 and unless taken very young, they never live more than two 

 or three days in captivity. At the present time, although the 



