Although, when taken young, the Orang-Utan soon becomes domesticated,
and indeed seems to court human society, it is naturally a very wild
and shy animal, though apparently sluggish and melancholy. The Dyaks
affirm, that when the old males are wounded with arrows only, they will
occasionally leave the trees and rush raging upon their enemies, whose
sole safety lies in instant flight, as they are sure to be killed if
caught.*

[footnote] *Sir James Brooke, in a letter to Mr. Waterhouse,
published in the proceedings of the Zoological Society for
1841, says:--"On the habits of the Orangs, as far as I have
been able to observe them, I may remark that they are as
dull and 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 forest; and even when obstructions below
(such as wading up to the neck) allowed them to get away
some distance, they were sure to stop and allow me to come
up. I never observed the slightest attempt at defence, and
the wood which sometimes rattled about our ears was broken
by their weight, and not thrown, as some persons
represent. If pushed to extremity, however, the 'Pappan'
could not be otherwise than formidable, and one unfortunate
man, who, with a party, was trying to catch a large one
alive, lost two of his fingers, besides being severely
bitten on the face, whilst the animal finally beat off his
pursuers and escaped." Mr. Wallace, on the other hand,
affirms that he has several times observed them throwing
down branches when pursued. "It is true he does not throw