858 Note on the Animal productions [Oct. 



than the gigantic orang-outang of Sumatra, or a closely allied species, 

 which has hitherto successfully escaped European detection, and still 

 enjoys the daily diminishing privilege in natural history — to be un- 

 known. In fact since the gigantic animal, whose remains ornament only 

 this museum, was by chance discovered, all vestige of its existence disap- 

 peared for many years, until recently Major Gregory brought two 

 skulls of the same species from Sumatra, which clearly demonstrate, 

 that the tales, hitherto believed fabulous, of large human skulls with 

 tiger-teeth, have not been altogether unfounded, not as the relics of a 

 rational being, but as the uniting link between man and beast. 



Coming now to the Mammalia, we find this part of Asia participat- 

 ing in the variety of species, which distinguishes one side of that con- 

 tinent, and in the magnitude of those on the other side. It exhibits 

 nevertheless the distinguishing particulars, which separate all Asia 

 from New Holland, and from the islands of the Pacific Ocean. 



In general it may be observed, that the Tenasserim Provinces form 

 a combining line between Hindostan, Indo-China, and the Malayan 

 countries, possessing species peculiar to each of the three divisions, 

 with this distinction, that the number of species in common with Bengal 

 and other parts of Hindostan, is comparatively smaller ; that province 

 Amherst, and Ye possess many species, peculiar to the countries east 

 of the Burhampootur, and even several of JBootan and Nepdl, and 

 that the southern provinces embrace many species, which have been 

 hitherto exclusively found onlj in the Malayan Archipelago. 



The Quadrumana being every where found within narrower limits, 

 do not present a great variety ; some of the species are strictly limit- 

 ed to certain districts. 



The Simia syndactyla has been found in the southern parts, and can 

 be enumerated as an exception to the general rule ; for this animal 

 covers a wide range of congenial country, from Java and Sumatra, 

 to the 1 5th degree of north latitude. 



A Hytobates, though the most common species in the interior, howl- 

 ing most pitiably in the solitary forests, seems to have hitherto 

 escaped the observation of naturalists. 



The Symenopithecus Maurus is a very wild inhabitant of the 

 loftiest trees, and considered the best food by the Kareans, by whom it 

 is shot with poisoned arrows. 



The Cercopithecus Cynosurus inhabits chiefly the banks of rivers, 

 and the mangrove forests, being chiefly fond of shellfish. 



Another species of Cercopithecus belongs to the rarest of this genus, 

 and is found chiefly in the northern parts, upon isolated limestone rocks. 



