2118 Zoology of the 



hamlet, pigs are seen foraging amid the offal and the vegetables which in all direc- 

 tions grow so luxuriantly. 



The palandok is a small species of deer, the smallest indeed of the tribe. Its 

 height is generally about eight inches at the shoulder. The whole body of this little 

 creature is covered with a thick, glossy, soft, brown fur, which — with its eyes of the 

 most melting lustre — render it a beautiful animal. It runs in pairs in the forest, feed- 

 ing on grass and the blossoms of a certain delicate flower, which it eats with the 

 greatest avidity. The lovely and lonely valleys of Borneo abound in the palandok, 

 where it can obtain the sweetest and greenest grass, and be in the shade of the quiet 

 copse woods. Notwithstanding its beautiful and elegant appearance, the palandok is 

 often eaten, though it is much better fitted to afford similes for the poet than to form 

 the bon bouche of an epicure. 



The kijang resembles the antelope, except that it has horns, the points of which 

 are bent forward. It is a very graceful animal, of a light brown colour. 



Monkeys are found in immense numbers, and of the most various species. Bor- 

 neo, indeed, is the only true native country of the ourang-outang, which is there known 

 as the ' wild man of the woods.' There are two species of it, — the Mias pappan, 

 which is the largest, and the Mias rembi, — distinguished also from each other by the 

 abundant bunches of red hair and the cheek-callosities of the former, which is in every 

 respect an extraordinary animal. 



Many extraordinary stories are related of the Mias pappan : one, told by Mr. 

 Hugh Low, whose excellent work on Borneo is full of such details, we may relate in 

 few words. A Dyak, who owned a moderate farm, planted with sugar-cane, was much 

 annoyed by the visits of an ourang-outang, which, coming in the night-time, commit- 

 ted great ravages among the sugar-canes, of which the animal is extremely fond. 

 The farmer not at all relishing this destruction of his property, one night — when the 

 moon was up and the sky unclouded — came forth armed with a spear, purposing to 

 attack and destroy the robber. Hiding himself in a thicket, he remained motionless 

 until the Mias came, and, seating himself on the trunk of a tree, commenced crushing 

 and masticating the canes. The Dyak now cautiously approached, and succeeded in 

 inflicting a wound on the ourang-outang, with the spear with which — in addition to a 

 sword — he was armed, as these animals when hurt fight ferociously. The Mias turned 

 to see by whom he had been wounded, and perceived, coming down the trunk of a tree 

 towards him, a bear, probably only with the intention of sharing his meal ; but the 

 ourang-outang, who did not see the man, fancied the bear the aggressor, and began to 

 punish him accordingly. The Dyak, fearing lest they should see and both fall upon 

 the real offender, made off as fast as possible, his flight being somewhat accelerated by 

 the fear caused by the grunting of the one and the growling of the other combatant. 

 Next morning, on returning, he found the bear dead on the spot, and not far distant 

 the Mias had dragged himself to expire. 



The enterprising Mr. Brooke and his companions in Borneo often enjoyed the sport of 

 hunting the Mias pappan. On one occasion a large specimen was seen seated amid the 

 branches of a lofty tree springing out of a great forest lake. A pursuit was immediately 

 commenced, and in a short time the devoted brute fell with a heavy splash into the water. 

 One peculiarity of this animal is, that when pursued and wounded, instead of endea- 

 vouring to escape, it retreats to the summit of a lofty tree, and there deliberately weaves 

 itself a nest among the branches, where it sits till death eases it of its sufferings. The 

 whole race is indolent and sluggish in its movements, and indifferent to the presence 



