It feeds on plantains and other fruit, and also fowls’ bones. When busily engaged in picking the wing-bone of a fowl, it growls most savagely if disturbed in its repast; which well shows the nature of the beast. “He eats only plantain,” said the Javanese, from whom I purchased it; but could the animal have spoken for himself, he would have probably hinted that “portions of the animals composing the feathery kingdom” would also be acceptable, by way of variety. It is tame and playful, like a kitten, throwing itself on the back, playing with a bit of string, making, at the same time, a low, whining noise. It utters a sharp, quick, squeaking noise, as well as a low moaning, more particularly at night, or when in want of food, or some water to quench its thirst. The specimen is a male: it was very playful, and climbed up my arm, by aid of its claws, like a cat. When it drinks, it laps like the dog or cat. May 17th. This morning, the animal had broken through and escaped from its cage during the night, and was about some part of the ship. May 18th. The whole of yesterday, the creature was reported as “absent without leave;” but early this morning he was found in the cabin of the second officer, asleep upon a jacket. He appears sufficiently tame to be left at liberty, so I did not immure him in a cage again, but kept a piece of long string attached to one of the hind legs, so as to limit his extent of range, when I found it necessary. Whilst writing in my cabin, the animal was either lying down quietly asleep, or else came to see what I was about, thrusting its little sharp snout among my papers, and amusing himself by playing with my pens and pencils. The animal is called _Mussong_, at Java, and I found it was also known by the same name among the natives on the north-east coast of Sumatra: it licks and cleans its furry coat with the tongue like the cat, especially after it has been much handled; and seems also to possess the _caution_ and _secretiveness_ of that tribe. It growls savagely when disturbed or teazed. It lapped some coffee one morning, but became sick soon after. It seems to be a fretful, impatient, little creature, and when it does not get its wants gratified, becomes “terribly out of temper,” or rather gets into a temper which is of a bad description. It then snaps ferociously at the finger placed near it, but its young teeth can make but little impression; it is in downright earnest, however, for it bristles up and advances its long whiskers, uttering a series of peevish cries and growls.