i2 NATURAL HISTORY IN ANECDOTE.

apprized the baker, who, relying with perfect confidence
upon her information, carried his dough to the oven as soon
as the chimpanzee came to fetch him. This animal performed
all the business of a sailor, spliced ropes, handled the sails,
and assisted at unfurling them; and she was, in fact considered
by the sailors ag one of themselves. The vessel was bound
for America; but the poor animal did not live to see that
country, having fallen a victim to the brutality of the first
mate, who inflicted very cruel chastisement upon her, which
she had not deserved. She endured it with the greatest
patience, only holding out her hands in a suppliant attitude,
in order to break the force of the blows she received. But
from that moment she steadily refused to take any food,
and died on the fifth day from grief and hunger. She was
lamented by every person on board, not insensible to the
feelings of humanity, who knew the circumstances of her
fate.”

The The orang-utan is one of the largest of the
Grang-utan. ape species and until the discovery of the
gorilla was supposed to be the largest. It is said sometimes
to attain to the height of six feet, and some travellers’ tales
credit it with even greater height. The orang is possessed
of great strength but is of a docile disposition when brought
under civilisation, and even in a wild state is often quiet
and peaceable except when attacked. It inhabits country
that is low, level, and swampy, and that is at the same
time covered with lofty virgin forests. It belongs to the
genus Simia of which it is the single species.

The Habits Lhe following account of the orang is given

ofthe by Mr. Brooke of Sarawak. “On the habits of
Orang-uten. the orangs, as far as I have been able to observe
them, I may remark that they are as dull and as slothful
as can well be conceived, and on no occasion, when
pursuing them, did they move so fast as to preclude my
keeping pace with them easily through a moderately clear