The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1883-10-11
HUNTING ORANG.OUTANGSs
Incidents OF n Chase In Observation-Disclosures
ietics OF the "Jungle-lIens"

Incidents OF Chase in Borneo-.C Character
istics OF the I" "Jungle-l1ens"
Mr.. William T. Hornaday, Of the
National museum at Washington, said
to Post reporter 81 was sent out in
1878 by Professor Ward, of Rochester,
on tour around the world to make
natural history collections. One of
the most important objects of the
journey was to secure specimens Of the
orang-outang. We could not buy skins
or skeletons anywhere, and there was
no way to get them except to 60 after
them. T had no experience whatever
in orang-ouSang hunting, nor could l
obtain any information on the subject
before starting. Nobody seemed to
know whether they were abundant or
scarce, but it was certain that they had
been obtained in Borneo and Sumatra
Where they were once, I thought, they
are likely to be found again ; and 50 in
August I landed at the tirst-named
island. l went to the territory of Sara
wax on the northwest coast, and there
1 heard that the objects of my search
were to be found in the valley Of the
Sodong river. For this place I Istarted,
fully equipped to live in the jungle for
an indefinite length of time. Accom-
panied by two servants I penetrated
the interior. We made inquiries Of
the natives, and were told that the
orang g.outangs were to be found only in
the fruit season, which had then been
over some months, and they seemed
to have gone into the depths
Of the forest. So we hunted over
the mountains and along the streams,
but without success, and finally came
to the conclusion that we would have
to give up. At that juncture two
natives came down little tributary Of
the river and said that they had seen
mias, which is the common name for
these creatures, and that, if went up
to their village and stayed week or
two, I might be able to kill three or
four. I packed up my things, got in
my boat, aud went up there. On the
way up the river killed three. When
7 reached the Dyak village I made
myself at home and devoted myself
entirely to hunting orang-outangs. In
two months had killed forty-three, a
number unprecedented in so short a
time. We found them only in the trees
along the river side. The natives said
that the orang-outangs were subject to
fevers at that season, and came to the
river to get the cool breeze"
"What are the principal features in
hunting orang-outangs, as you call
them?"
"Suppose, as the best way Of answer
ing that question" said Mr.. Horna-
day, "that you and 7 start, some morn
ing, from the Dyak village, on trip
up the river after orang-outangs. You
will find our boat excellent for hunting
purposes, being broad and flat-bot-
toned. One Malay is in the bow and
two in the stern. AS we proceed you
will notice that the trees on each side
-are-uott -4oft. fly, but l1nry -densa-Ihe
actual banks Of the river are invisible,
for cheveaux de frise Of screw
pines grow far out into the stream,
and beyond them there is yet
q vast extent of ground covered
with water. Presently some one
sees tree top moving. A moments
glance tells us that the quick motion
Of the branches indicates a monkey
and not the game we are looking for.
4 little further on, however, a tree
top swings heavily to and fro. Now
we know that the gentleman whom we
have come to call upon is at home.
Quickly the boat is rowed as near the
tree as possible, and with my indispen-
sable field glass I try and locate him.
Then I fire, aiming for the breast or
Dody-never for the skull, for that
would spoil the specimen. If wounded
mortally he will tumble down, but, if
not, we will hear him make off through
the woods. Overheard we 60 into the
swamp, natives and all, and harry after
him. My ammunition is waterproof,
and the wetting will not hurt it. After
a chase I get another. chance to fire,
and, if that brings him down, it is
only q matter Of time to wait until he
dies. We must not go near him until
he is dead, for we would speedily in:l
what strength the orang-outang has in
his hands and feet. You see that with
firearms there is neither danger nor ex-
citement. When the natives attack
these creatures with spears the case is
different; but even then the pictures
you see Of an orang-outang defending
himself with club are pure magma
tiou. They don't do anything of the
kind
"What are the characteristics Of the
orang-outangs?"
! "They are solitary in their habits,
especially the old ones. Once I saw
four together, but that is an unusual
thing. Their home is in the trees, and
they rarely descend to the ground.
They are as helpless on the ground as
man with both legs amputated at the
knees, and simply wa idle. They can
not stand erect for moment. 1t is a
physical impossibility. They are not
savage toward man, their first instinct
being to run away. Even mothers
with their young take flight rather
than attempt to make defense.
Among themselves they fight frequent
ly, biting each others hands and feet.
One old fellow I killed had three
fingers and two toes bitten off, and a
big piece bitten out Of his face. They
are very destructive to the fruit, and,
for this reason, the natives are glad to
have them killed. They could not,
however, be said to be numerous"
/ "Can they swim, like men2"
"No, l do not believe they can. All
my observation and experience 60 to
prove that they cannot make a single
stroke in the water, but sink as help.
less as lead"
"Can they be tamed?"
"I taught a young one unhurt, and
kept it quite while as a pet. 1t was
tame, and it's passions and emotions
were exactly like child just before it
is able to talk. Do l think orang-
outangs could be taught howto talk? l
don't know that the experiment has
ever been tried. If it was, and proved
successful, it would set people think
ing"
The C0untry's Horses.