THE SIAMANG. 
29 
At sunrise and sunset, the Siamangs assemble in great numbers, under the command of a 
chief who is thought by the natives to be weapon-proof, and, being assembled, utter most 
hideous yells, each striving to outdo the other in their cries. It is supposed by some writers 
that the peculiar resonance of the animal’ s cry, is in a great measure to be attributed to the 
throat-pouches above mentioned. M. Yrolik, however, seems to be of a different opinion, as 
has been already noticed, in the account of the Orang-outan. Except at the beginning and end 
of the day, the Siamangs are comparatively quiet. 
There is not a very great development of the combative nature in this animal, which is 
timid, unless urged by those feelings which inspire even the weakest and mildest creatures 
with reckless courage. The poor animal has no notion how to inflict or avoid a blow ; but in 
defence of its young, when threatened with danger, or in revenge for their loss, if slain, the 
mother Siamang dauntlessly flings herself upon the enemy, caring nothing for her own life in 
comparison with that of her offspring. 
When permitted to range unmolested in the woods, the care of the mother Siamang for 
her young affords a pleasing, and sometimes an amusing spectacle. But the father must not 
be passed over without the tribute of honor due to his paternal virtues. Those who have 
watched the Siamangs as they wandered unrestrainedly, say that the parents divide the care 
of the family between them ; the father taking care of the male offspring, and the mother of 
the females. They are properly solicitous about the cleanliness of their young charge, and 
duly wash them, rub and dry them, in spite of the screams and struggles of the little ones. 
It seems fco be a general rule, that when an animal is peculiarly adapted for one mode of 
life, displaying singular powers therein, it is quite at a loss when placed in an uncongenial 
condition. The bats, for example, are awkward and helpless animals when placed on a level 
surface ; so are many of the swift- winged birds, such as the albatross, the frigate-bird, and 
others, while the diving-birds are just as clumsy on land as they are agile in the water. So it 
is with the Siamang, for its great length of limb, that gives it such powers of locomotion 
among trees, forms a serious impediment to its progress on level ground. Among the trees 
the Siamang is unapproachable ; and although not quite so active as the gibbons, is yet suffi- 
ciently so to be perfectly secure from pursuit. But let the creature once descend to earth, and 
it is so embarrassed by its long limbs that it can be overtaken and captured with ease. Indeed, 
those specimens that have been taken unhurt, have almost invariably been made prisoners 
while struggling to regain the shelter of the trees. 
One of these animals was for some time an inmate of a ship, where it became quite com- 
panionable, and gained the affections of passengers and crew. So far from exhibiting the 
sullen and sluggish demeanor which has been attributed to this ape, the Siamang displayed 
great activity and quickness, skipping about the ropes, and given to harmless tricks. It took 
a fancy to a little Papuan girl who was on board, and would sit with its arms round her neck, 
eating biscuit with her. It was of an inquisitive nature, running up the rigging, and watching 
from its elevated position a passing vessel, and remaining there until the ship was out of sight. 
In temper it was rather uncertain, and apt to fly into a passion if opposed in any wish. 
When thus excited, it would fling itself down, just like a naughty, spoiled child, roll 
about the deck with great contortion of limbs and face, strike at everything which came in its 
way, and scream incessantly, with a sound like “ Ba ! ra ! ra ! ” 
It had a strange predilection for ink, and in order to procure this remarkable dainty, 
would drain the ink-bottle whenever there was an opportunity of so doing, or suck the pens 
in default of the liquid itself. Being itself destitute of a tail, and feeling no fear of reprisals 
in that direction, the Siamang used to make very free with the tails of some monkeys that 
lived on board of the same vessel. Catching an unfortunate monkey by its caudal appendage, 
away went Ungka, as the ape was named, dragging the monkey after him along the deck, 
until the wretched animal writhed itself free from its tormentor. At another time, Ungka 
would carry the monkey by the tail up the rigging, in spite of its squeaks and struggles, and 
then quietly let it drop. 
It was sensitive to ridicule ; and when its feelings were hurt, it used to inflate its throat 
until it resembled a huge wen, and looked seriously at the offenders, uttering hollow barks at 
