A Natural History for Young People: Our Animal Friends in Their Native Homes: including mammals, birds and fishesHumphreys, Phebe Westcott
History
A Natural History for Young People: Our Animal Friends in Their Native Homes: including mammals, birds and fishes
Humphreys, Phebe Westcott
Natural history -- Juvenile literature
When full grown the Orang measures from six to seven feet in height. His
head is covered with a sort of mane of smooth hair of greyish black
color, and his face is naked, with the exception of a tufted moustache
on the upper lip, and a long thick beard. The nose is flat and the
muzzle very prominent and it is not surprising that some of the
inhabitants of these countries have many strange and superstitious
beliefs concerning this hideous “Wild Man of the Woods.”
Although so little is known of these strange animals in their wild
state, the habits of tame ones have been closely studied, as it is not
difficult to capture them when very young, and they make very
interesting pets while small. One of the most intelligent of these
animals that has yet been known, was brought from Java by Dr. Abel
Clark, and many interesting stories have been told about it.
At Java, this Monkey lived under a tamarind tree, near the Doctor’s
dwelling. There it had made a bed, composed of small interlaced branches
covered with leaves; on this it passed the greater portion of the time,
looking out for the people who carried fruit, and, when they approached,
descending to obtain a share.
When taken on board the vessel, it was secured by an iron chain to a
ring-bolt; but it unfastened itself and ran away, when, finding the
chain trailing behind, an encumbrance, it threw it over its shoulder. As
it released itself in this manner several times, it was decided to allow
it to go at large. It became very familiar with the sailors; it played
with them, and knew how to escape when pursued, for it darted into
inaccessible parts of the rigging.
“At first,” writes Doctor Abel Clark, “it usually slept on one of the
upper yards, after enveloping itself in a sail. In making its bed it
took the greatest care to remove everything that might disturb the
smooth surface of the place on which it intended to lie. After
satisfying its tastes in this part of its domestic arrangements, it lay
down on its back, bringing the sail over the surface of its body.
Frequently to torment it, I have beforehand taken possession of its bed.
In such a case it would endeavor to pull the sail from beneath me, or
try to expel me from its resting-place, and would not rest until it had
succeeded. If the bed proved to be large enough for two, it slept
quietly beside me. When all the sails were unfurled, it searched for
some other couch, often stealing the sailors’ jackets which were hung
out to dry, or robbing some hammock of bed-clothes.
“It willingly ate all kinds of meat, especially raw flesh. It was very
fond of bread, but always preferred fruit when procurable. Its ordinary
beverage at Java was water, but on board its drink was as varied as its
food. Above everything it liked coffee and tea, but it also willingly
took wine.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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