Anecdotes of the Habits and Instinct of Animals | Page 7

He was entirely covered with hair, and not wrinkled and
bare in front like the smaller Chimpanzee; and it was for some time
supposed, that this was the Ingheena reported by Mr. Bowdich. Since
then, however, some skulls have been sent to England from the same
locality, of much larger proportions, betokening an almost marvellous
size and strength; and these probably, belonged to the real Ingheena.
They go about in pairs; and it is evident from their enormous teeth, that,
as they are not flesh-eating animals, these weapons must have been
given to them as means of defence against the most powerful enemies;
in fact, against each other.
I now come from my own knowledge and personal experience to those
of others, and I cannot begin with a more interesting account than that
given by Mr. Bennett of the Ungka Ape, or Gibbon of Sumatra, the
Simia Syndactyla of naturalists. He stood two feet high when on his
hind legs, and was covered with black hair, except on the face, the skin
of which was also black; the legs were short in proportion to the body
and arms, the latter being exceedingly long. His only pouch was under
the throat, the use of which was not apparent, for he did not make it a
reservoir for food. He uttered a squeaking or chirping note when
pleased, a hollow bark when irritated, and when frightened or angry he
loudly called out "Ra, ra, ra." He was as grave as the rest of his tribe,
but not equally mischievous; he, however, frequently purloined the ink,
sucking the pens, and drinking the liquid whenever he could get at it.
He soon knew his name, and readily went to those who called him. The
chief object of his attachment was a Papuan child; and he would sit

with one of his long arms round her neck, share his biscuit with her, run
from or after her in play, roll on the deck, entwining his arms around
her, pretend to bite, swing himself away by means of a rope, and then
drop suddenly upon her, with many other frolics of a childish character.
If, however, she tried to make him play when he was not inclined to do
so, he would gently warn her by a bite, that he would not suffer her to
take any liberties. He made advances to several small monkeys, but
they always drew themselves up into an opposing force, and he, to
punish their impertinence, seized hold of their tails, and pulled them till
the squeaking owners contrived to escape, or he dragged them along by
these appendages up the rigging, and then suddenly let them go, he all
the time preserving the utmost gravity.
When the hour came for the passengers' dinner he took his station near
the table, and, if laughed at while eating, barked, inflated his pouch,
and looked at those who ridiculed him in the most serious manner till
they had finished, when he quietly resumed his own meal. This is often
done by others of his race, and some seem to inquire what you see to
laugh at, while others fly into a passion when such an affront is offered.
Ungka greatly disliked being left alone, and when refused anything
which he wished for, rolled upon the deck, threw his arms and legs
about, and dashed every thing down which came within his reach,
incessantly uttering "Ra, ra, ra." He had a great fancy for a certain piece
of soap, but was always scolded when he tried to take it away. One day,
when he thought Mr. Bennett was too busy to observe him, he walked
off with it, casting glances round to see if he were observed. When he
had gone half the length of the cabin, Mr. Bennett gently called him;
and he was so conscience-stricken that he immediately returned the
soap to its place, evidently knowing he had done wrong. He was very
fond of sweetmeats; but although good friends with those who gave
them to him, he would not suffer them to take him in their arms, only
allowing two persons to use that familiarity, and particularly avoiding
large whiskers. He felt the cold extremely as he proceeded on his
voyage, was attacked with dysentery, and died as he came into a
northern latitude.

A female Gibbon was for some time exhibited in London, whose rapid
and enormous springs verified the account given of her brethren by M.
Duvaueel, who said that he had seen one of these animals clear a space
of forty feet, receiving an impetus by merely touching the branch of a
tree, and catching fruit as she sprang: the one in England could stop
herself in the most sudden manner, and calculate her distances with
surprising accuracy. She uttered