156 



A NATVSALIST'S WANDERTNaS 



its embrace, to all appearance dead also. Both of tliem lie 

 broTiglit home slimg on a pole. Cutting their thongs^ he threw 

 them down on the ^eraudah and went off again. Being 

 very busy, I bad tiiken no notice of them till a movement 

 caused me to look up, when I saw the young ape quietly 

 making tracks for the stairway ; but I quickly secured him, 

 despite bis screams and vigorous attempts to bit«. It had 

 been only stunned by a pellet on the beatl, and hail no Ijones 

 broken. In a very short time it tamed down and became 

 a most delightful companioii. Its expression of countenance 

 was most intelligent, and at times almost human ; but in 

 C4iptivity it often wore a sad and dejected aspect, which quite 

 disappeared in its excited moods. With what elegance and 

 gentleness it used to tuke what was offered it with its delicate 

 taper fingers, which, like its head, are more authropuid (except 

 for their hairiness) than any other ape's I It would never 

 put its lips to a vessel to drink, but invariably lifted the water 

 to its mouth by dipping in its half-closed hand and awkwardly 

 licking the drops from its knuckles. The gentle and caressing 

 way in which it would clasp me round the neck with its long 

 arms, laying its bead on my chest, uttering a satisfied crooning 

 sound, was most engaging. Every evening it used to make 

 with me a tour round the village square, with its hand ou 

 my arm, enjoying the walk apparently as much m I did. 

 It wius a most curious and ludicrous sight to see it erect on its 

 somewhat baudy legs, hurrying along in the most frautic haste, 

 as if to keep its head from outrunning it^s feet, with its long 

 free arm see-sawing in a most odd way over his head to 

 balance itself. 



That they can leap the great distances from tree to tree 

 ascribed to them is, I think, incorrect ; for during the felling 

 of the Ibrest near the village, when a little colony of Siamanga 

 got cut off from the branches of the neiirest ii'tn^s by some 

 thirty feet only, they scampered up and down the tree 

 bowling in the most abject terror at every stroke of tlie axe, 

 yet without venturing to leap the uitcrvening space, and 

 even wheu it wtis faUing they did not atti3mpt to save 

 themselves by springing to the ground, but perished in the 

 crush of the tree. Tiie Siamang and the Ongka (Rt/alohaies 

 variegaUisji an allied hut smaller ape, are the most iutoresting 



