102 ACCOUNTS OF THE MALAY TAPIR. 
Major Farquhar’s discovery of the tapir in the Malay 
Peninsula was followed in the same year by the discovery of 
the animal in Sumatra. Mr. Siddons, the British Resident at 
Bencoolen, wrote on the 6th Deczember, 1816 the following 
lettrer to the Secretary of the Asiatic Society. 
~ Sir, 
I have sent on board the Ship Clauline, commanded by 
Cuptain Welsh, a very rare animil callel on this coast the 
Tannoh which I beg you to present to the Asiatic Society in 
my name. . 
It resembles, with ‘extreme closeness the Tapir of Buffon. 
It was presented to me by the Pangeran of S»songye Lamswe, 
who informed me that. it was caught in a paddy plantation 
upon his lands in the interior. Szarch was made for its 
parents, but no traces of them were discovered : the people 
were attracted by the shrill cry of the animal, which they 
found at the edge of the paddy ground, close to a thicket, 
amidst very long grass, the Pangeran himself is, perhaps, the 
ollest man living in these districts : He says that he never saw 
but one other animal of this description, which was when he 
was about ten years old, and that he has never heard of one 
having been seen since, that veleee he then saw was of the size 
of a small cow. 
The Tannoh eats boiled rice, after it has ae cool, grass, 
leaves &c. It is of a very lazy habit, but perfectly gentle, and 
loves to bathe, (remaining a very considerable time under 
water) and to be rubbed or scratched, which he solicits by 
throwing himself down on his side. He has been in my pos- 
session almost three months, during which period he has grown 
considerably, and his skin has changed from a dusky brown, 
streaked and spotted with white, to its present appearance. 
I trust the animal will reach Calcutta alive, wher no 
doubt it will gratify the curious in natural history. 
I remain, Sir, 
Your very obedient servant - 
G. J. SIDDONS. 
Sumatra, Fort Marlborough, 6th December, 1816. 
Jour, Straits Branch 
