6 8 BORNEO—THE ORANG-UTAN. [chap. iv.
*
it admirably, as it could sprawl its legs about and always
find some bair, which it grasped with the greatest tenacity.
I was now in hopes that I had made the little orphan
quite happy; and so it seemed for some time, till it began
to remember its lost parent, and try to suck. It would
pull itself up close to the skin, and try about everywhere
for a likely place; but, as it only succeeded in getting
mouthfuls of hair and wool, it would be greatly disgusted,
and scream violently, and, after two or three attempts, let
go altogether. One day it got some wool into its throat,
and I thought it would have choked, but after much
gasping it recovered, and I was obliged to take the imitation
mother to pieces again, and give up this last attempt
to exercise the little creature.
After the first week 1 found I could feed it better
with a spoon, and give it a little more varied and more
solid food. "Well-soaked biscuit mixed with a little
egg and sugar, and sometimes sweet potatoes, were
readily eaten; and it was a never-failing amusement to
observe the curious changes of countenance by which it
would express its approval or dislike of what ‘was given
to it. The poor little thing would lick its lips, draw in
its * cheeks, and turn up its eyes with an expression of
the most supreme satisfaction when it had a mouthful
particularly to its taste. On the other hand, when its food
was not sufficiently sweet or palatable, it would turn the
mouthful about with its tongue for a moment as if trying
to extract what flavour there was, and then push it all
out between its lips. If the same food was continued, it
would set up a scream and- kick about violently, exactly
like a baby in a passion.
After I had had the little Mias about three weeks, I
fortunately obtained a young hare-lip monkey (Macacus
cynomolgus), which, though small, was very active, and
could feed itself. I placed- it in the same box with the
Mias, and they immediately became excellent friends,
neither exhibiting the least fear of the other. The little
monkey would sit upon the other’s stomach, or even on
its face, without the least regard to its feelings. While
I was feeding the Mias, the monkey would sit by, picking
up all that was spilt, and occasionally putting out its
hands to intercept the spoon; and as soon as I had finished
would pick off what was left sticking to the Mias’ lips,
and then pull open its mouth and see if any still remained
inside; afterwards lying down on the poor creature’s
stomach as on a comfortable cushion. The little helpless
Mias would submit to all these insults with the most
exemplary patience, only too glad to have something warm
near it, which it could clasp affectionately in its arms. It
sometimes, however, had its revenge; for when the monkey
wanted to go away, the Mias would hold on as long as it
could by the loose skin of its back or head, or by its tail,