SIMIA SYNDACTYLY. 
partially interrupted by a narrow band of hairs extending across the lower part of 
the neck. The folds of naked skin mentioned above in the description of the living 
animal, appear distinctly in the prepared specimens. 
The hairy covering of the head and extremities affords a very peculiar character 
to the Simia syndactyla, and its thickness increases considerably the bulk of these 
parts. It consists of hairs close and woolly near the skin, united in small tufts, 
which diverge irregularly, and form a shaggy fleece, which invests the surface of our 
animal. The separate hairs are above two inches long, and on every part, except the 
head, they are slightly curved, so as to cause a somewhat frizzled appearance. The 
colour of these hairs is most intensely black. 
Sir Stamford Raffles adds to the description above given, that the Siamangs 
are abundant in the forests near Bencoolen, where they are seen in large companies, 
making the woods echo with their loud and peculiar cry. Besides the specimens 
contained in the collection forwarded to England, he has recently procured a living 
Siamang, which is very tame and tractable ; in fact, he is never happy but when 
allowed to be in company with some one. 
