10 



FOUR-HANDED FOLK. 



but when the piece was large, he sometimes lay 

 down on his back or side, and brought both 

 hands and feet into use for help. Occasionally, 

 if convenient, he sat up against a book, or stick 

 of wood, leaning on one elbow with a most sen- 

 timental air. 



His position in sitting down was very curious. 

 So flexible was his body that he could sit down 

 at any point of his spine. He often bent at 

 about the middle of the back, while he slowly 

 dispatched his food ; head and shoulders stand- 

 ing straight up without support, and the rest of 

 the body lying flat, with the two legs spread far 

 apart to keep the balance. Not unfrequently he 

 leaned over the edge of the box, back down, 

 eating, with his head hanging wrong side up, 

 in which position any other animal would break 

 his back. 



Slice after slice of banana disappeared till 

 almost the whole of one was consumed, when 

 he coolly turned his back upon the tempter, 

 and curled down, apparently for a nap. But 

 this was merely a hint for people to withdraw 7 , 

 resume their ordinary occupations, of book, or 

 work, or play, and leave him in freedom, which 

 they accordingly did. 



