Chapter XVI: Appendix: The Cocoa-Nut Tree (3)

The dissection exhibited the following appearances. The pleura and peritoneum were found inflated; the abdominal viscera, except the liver, were seen behind the latter; liver large; right lobe longer and larger than the left; gall-bladder two and one-eighth inches in length, narrow, attached to the liver only by the biliary ducts; stomach covered externally with much fat; the interior consisted of numerous rather tortuous longitudinal folds, and numerous papillæ covered the internal surface, from which, on pressure, a small quantity of a thick substance exuded, leaving a gaping opening: the first stomach was empty; the second stomach was lined with a greenish substance, and contained only an undigested beak of a cuttle fish; heart covered with much fat; gall-bladder full of bile of a grass-green colour; kidneys four-lobed, on one of the lobes was a small diseased spot, of the size of a pin’s head, from which some inky fluid could be expressed. This lobe was easily broken, and evidently diseased: it was the first lobe of the right kidney; ureters long, terminating in the cloaca.

The bill in this species differs from others of the genus, in being more slender and delicate in formation, more particularly when compared with that enormous type of the genus the _D. exulans_.

The interior of the mouth is of a white colour, excepting near the edges of the mandibles, which have a delicate pink tinge.

From the length of the bill in these birds their bite is not severe, except when they seize or strike with the hooked mandible, when the impression is strong, but not so great as would be expected from so large a bird.

On the 24th of July, 1832, in latitude 40° 32′ south, longitude 50° 45′ east, we captured the species called _chlororynchus_.[143] It was taken by getting its wing entangled in the line, (which was out with a bait attached to it,) as it flew under the stern; it was too old a bird to take bait, but not so wise as to escape the line, and avoid being entangled in it. On being hauled on board, it became unusually vociferous, and screamed for liberty in loud, hoarse, discordant cries. When, in the gentlest manner imaginable, we commenced measuring him, he vehemently exclaimed against it, and was declared by all on board a very noisy bird; he was, probably, an old stager, perfectly well aware of the fate that awaited him. He received the usual share of commiseration from the ladies when they understood he was to be dissected, accompanied by a request for the down.

I now proceed to describe this specimen, commencing with the dimensions, which may be regarded as the usual size of this species. This bird is doubtless the _D. chlororynchus_ of Gmelin, allowing the slight difference in the plumage to be the result of age. Gmelin thus describes it:—

“D. alba, rostro nigro, carina mandibulæ superioris basique inferioris flava, capite grisco, _cenia_, macula supra oculos caudaque obscuris, dorso, alis maculaque inter rostrum et oculos nigris. Irides fuscæ; nucha et uropygium alba; pedes pallide ochroleuci, anterius cum membranâ digitos connectente obscuri.”

Feet. In.
Length of the body from the tip of the bill to extremity of
the tail 2 5½
Length of the bill 0 4
Depth of the base of the bill 0 1¾
Length of the tail 0 8½
Length of the tail, exserted from feathers of the urupigium 0 3¾
Length of the thigh 0 6
Length of the tarsus 0 3
Length of the middle phalanges 0 4⅜
Breadth of wings expanded 6 4
Breadth between the wings from the first scapular joint 0 5
Length of the first joint 0 9
Length of the second joint 0 9¾
Length of the third joint 0 3¾
Length of the fourth joint, or pen-feathers 1 3
Length from the inner angle of the eye to the base of the beak 0 1
Breadth of the foot when expanded 0 5½

The plumage was clean, delicate, and very handsome, particularly about the head. From this bird I procured a small parasitical animal, probably a _Ricinus_, which was found rather numerous about its feathers, it is prettily marked on each side, with a silvery appearance on the back, when viewed through a microscope.

The upper surface of the wings, scapulars, and back in this bird, was a brownish black; the urupigium, white; the head, chin, and neck, of a delicate grey, or blue grey. The back is shaded off towards the neck, which becomes of a soft and beautiful leaden colour, of more light and delicate tints as it proceeds around the front part of the neck, extending towards the breast; eyelids black: the upper surface of the tail was of a light black; shaded with white in a very delicate and beautiful manner. At first, this appearance was supposed only to be the result of the different lights in which the bird was occasionally placed; but subsequent observations confirmed its being the marked colour. On examining one of the tail-feathers plucked from the bird, it was found delicately tinted; the shaft diminishing gradually as it proceeded from the quill to the extremity, until it terminated in a very fine filament, projecting one-eighth of an inch from the plume; this was observed in the whole of the upper and large tail-feathers. The plume as it came off on each side from the base, terminated in a beautiful downy appearance; tail-feathers underneath of a lighter colour—vent (crissum) white, which gives a light delicate appearance to the edge of the feather.

The breast and abdomen are of a snow-white; under surface of the wings, upper line along the wing-bones, and a little below, brownish-black; middle white, (excepting a few brown feathers near the axilla,) forming a continuous broad white line the whole length of the under surface of the wings; lower feathers base white, tips black, under surface of the pen-feathers black; shafts white.

At the inferior part of the external angle of the eye, around the margin of the lid, a narrow white mark extends for the length of seven-eighths of an inch. A diffused black-mark was situated over, and extended to the inner angle of the eye, terminating near the base of the bill in lighter shades of the same colour, forming an agreeable contrast with the delicate leaden hue extending over the head and neck.

Bill blackish; upper surface horny, (shaded with light black at some parts,) extending, of a similar appearance, to the hooked process of the upper mandible. At the lower part of the inferior mandible, this horny appearance also extends to within an inch of the tip. Irides brown; the first pen-feather the longest; feet and legs marbled, the web marbled blue, more at the anterior edges, and between the second and third toes; claws of the toes turned outwards, (to the right.)

There is a very minute tubercle at the posterior, and lower part of the tarsus, which is considered by some as a rudiment of thumb, and I suppose to be that alluded to by Lesson, when he says of this genus, “pouce sans ongles.”

The fœces of this specimen were of a reddish purple colour, as if occasioned by his swallowing some Aplysiæ; but the skeleton of a Loligo was solely found in his stomach, the interior of which, as well as the whole length of the intestinal canal, was seen on dissection to be tinged of a similar colour; but no remains of Aplysiæ were to be found: could the colour, then, have been produced by the Loligo? The second stomach contained one perfect and one imperfect beak of a sepia, both of small size. The gizzard or second stomach is small in proportion to the size of the bird.

The specimen was a female; the cluster of ovaries of a yellowish colour, and situated just above the superior lobes of the kidneys, were distinctly seen.

This animal attacked furiously every thing that was placed before it, screaming with its trumpet-like voice at the same time. It always made some impression with its beak when the hooked end of the mandible came in contact with the object attacked, but not without.

This bird, on being placed on the skylight of the poop, tied by the leg, made one attempt to regain its liberty; finding that attempt fruitless, it never renewed it, but remained with folded wings, apparently content, but appearing to watch the approach of intruders with its large brilliant eyes. When left alone, the bird remained seated, perfectly quiet, pecking its feathers, and looking as content and unconscious of danger as when I have seen them resting tranquilly on the water, undisturbed by the ship, as it has passed quite close to them. I cannot, however, consider its sight very acute, as, although watching me, I found no difficulty at any time in seizing him by the neck. Indeed these, unlike the man-of-war bird, gannet, &c., do not require great acuteness of vision, as their food is principally the sluggish mollusca, not fish, as has been often asserted as serving them for prey, this bird being regarded also, but I consider erroneously, as one of the enemies of the flying fish.

The Albatross does not require that acuteness of vision requisite in the _Tachypetes aquila_, or man-of-war hawk, which hovers to a great height in the air, and then darts with rapidity on its finny prey. The flight of the Albatross, on the contrary, is low, and it frequently skims the surface of the water, watching for the objects which serve it for food, or the sepiæ, as they leap from, or swim tardily near, the surface of the ocean.

Sometimes the Albatrosses form a sea-dish, and are eaten by the crew; but it is seldom they are used for this purpose in the present day, although formerly they were caught and esteemed for that purpose, as a change to the miserable salt junk. Captain Cook mentions, in his first voyage, the method used to prepare the birds before cooking them, and passes much commendation on the dish. “The Albatrosses,” he observes, “we skinned, and, having soaked them in salt water until the morning, we parboiled them, then, throwing away the liquor, stewed them in a very little fresh water till they were tender, and had them served up with savoury sauce: thus dressed, the dish was universally commended, and we ate of it very heartily, even when there was fresh pork upon the table.”

I was not aware, until I perused the entertaining “Fragments of Voyages and Travels,” by Captain Hall, that the Albatross was ever found so near the equator. “On the 24th of May,” he writes, “the day before crossing the equator, a number of those huge birds, the Albatrosses, were seen soaring over the face of the waters, and the flying fish, when rising into the air to avoid their natural enemies, the dolphin and bonito, were frequently caught by these poaching birds, to the very reasonable disappointment of the sporting fish below, on whose manor they were trespassing. These intruders proceeded not altogether with impunity, however, for we hooked several of them, who, confident in their own sagacity and strength of wing, swooped eagerly at the baited hooks, towed far astern of the ship, and were thus drawn on board, screaming and flapping their wings in a very ridiculous plight.”

On the 23d of July, 1832, in latitude 40° 16′ south, longitude 46° 45′ east, an Albatross was hooked; and when about to haul it in, the line (which was out its whole length) accidentally slipped; the bird consequently swallowed hook, bait, and a portion of the line; the remainder hung out from his bill. He was seen about the ship in the afternoon with a long portion of the line pending from the beak. This morning he was seen following the ship, but the length of line which hung from his beak was now reduced to very short dimensions: he had, probably by gradually swallowing, thus reduced it. From this bird being thus marked, we have ascertained that he has followed the ship for two days; and as we have been sailing at the rate of two hundred miles per day, (from the irregular flight of this bird, their actual flight may be correctly quadrupled,) it has followed us in a direct line four hundred miles. How long previously it had been about the ship, or subsequently followed it, we had no means of ascertaining, as the following day none of the Albatrosses had a string pending from the beak: our friend, no doubt, having swallowed the whole of it.

Sometimes the bait would attract an Albatross, cause him to alight, and shake it with his beak; but, “putting on a knowing look,” he eyed it again, perhaps suspicious of its appearance, would refuse it, and fly off. Perhaps he had had a good feast of cuttle-fish, and therefore, being in a dainty mood, did not like the bit of skinny pork that was offered for his acceptance.

These birds are the greatest part of their existence on the wing; but there are other of the oceanic birds which merely seek their food during the day, returning to the land to roost at night; but, from sometimes being blown away by heavy gales, they are obliged to bear away for the nearest port, and take refuge, much exhausted, on the rigging of ships. The booby is one of these; and from the circumstance of being easily captured at night on the rigging, has received its common name, whereas it is as much gifted with sense as any of the oceanic tribe of birds, which, at the best, is not an overplus; but Nature, no doubt, has given them as much as they require for their existence in this world.

So marked is the form of the superorbital depression in aquatic birds, that I have no doubt, judging from my limited series of observations, the genus may be determined by it alone. So marked is it in the Albatross genus, that from it the skull of that bird may be easily recognized. The Petrel tribe have it only half bony, the membranous portion projecting from the outer edge of the bone, which membranous portion is usually found wanting in the prepared skulls of those birds. In the Larus or gull tribe, the flatness of the cavities, and their extending over the anterior part of the skull, so as nearly, if not actually, to touch, seems a distinguishing mark in that genus. In the booby, duck, and some others, there is no depression, although the gland exists, being situated over the orbit, merely on a membranous projection.

My brother, Mr. F. D. Bennett, exhibited, at the meeting of the Zoological Society, on the 25th of June, 1833, a dried preparation of the upper larynx and adjoining parts of the Albatross, (_Diomedea exulans_, Linn.) for the purpose of demonstrating the existence in that bird of an epiglottis; and observed, “that the _rima glottidis_ is bounded by two elevated fleshy lips, which consist of mucous membrane and some few muscular fibres, and are armed with retroflexed spiculæ. These lips are in perfect contact at the hinder part of the glottis when it is closed, but diverge near their anterior part, so as to leave a triangular open space of about the size of a pea, the edges of which are incapable of being approximated to each other. In front of this triangular aperture, and at some distance behind the tongue, (to which it is connected by mucous membrane and muscular fibres,) is an elevated substance of a soft leathery texture, resembling that of the epiglottis of _Mammalia_: its form is triangular, the apex being inferior, and connected with the tongue, and the base being elevated, and terminating in three convex portions or lobes. The middle one of these lobes is the largest; it is free, and rests immediately over the triangular orifice of the larynx just described, which, when depressed, it is in size adapted to cover. In a line continuous with the floor of the upper larynx and penetrating beneath the epiglottis, is a cavity or sac lined with mucous membrane.”

Having demonstrated these parts on the preparation exhibited by him, he added that as it had been the opinion of naturalists in all ages that no bird possesses an epiglottis, the structure which he had brought under the notice of the Society appeared to him highly interesting. So fixed was the opinion to which he had adverted, that when Warren showed the existence in the ostrich (_Struthio Camelus_, Linn.) of a structure which he regarded as an epiglottis, the denomination was generally rejected, even in this anomalous bird, and the part was considered as a mere elevation at the base of the tongue, a rudiment, but without the function, of the organ. In the Albatross, however, the function is that of an epiglottis; and the size, though small, is sufficient for the protection of that portion of the rima glottidis which cannot be closed in the manner usual in birds by the apposition of its margins. With a peculiar structure of the glottis there exists an apparatus equally peculiar in the class, as a provision against the inconvenience which might otherwise result from the deviation from the normal structure.[144]

NOTES ON THE PLANTAIN AND BANANA TREES.

(_See_ page 385, vol. i.)

If we regard the immense varieties of the vegetable kingdom, their peculiar forms, large and minute flowers of splendid tints, and delicious fruits,—we find them all conduce to the happiness and luxury of man—affording him raiment, food, and adding to the comforts of his existence.

When we contemplate the vegetable productions of nature, we find that they impart a tranquillity to the mind, which the animal kingdom, ever slaves to conflicting passions, can never produce;—when suffering from violent emotions, an indescribable degree of repose is felt while viewing the tranquil but beautiful scene of a well-furnished garden, or the more magnificent grandeur of forest scenery. A calmness is produced, which, counteracting our more violent passions, leads us back to our sober reason, and to reflection.

Among the splendid, varied, and profuse vegetation, with which tropical countries abound in so infinite a degree, the magnificent, herbaceous plant, the Plantain tree, usually attracts particular notice; and, together with the cocoa and other palms, are the productions of the vegetable kingdom which adorn the picture of the artist, when depicting the scenery of the tropics. The broad leaves overhang gracefully the succulent and huge stem of this plant; whilst, just at their bases, huge clusters of fruit, of yellow, red, and other colours, contrast harmoniously with the shining, dark-green foliage.

The size this splendid plant usually attains is eight feet; but I have seen them at the elevation of twelve, and even fifteen feet, with a diameter of stalk from one foot to two feet. The stem is formed partly from the united petioles of the leaves; and they are said to contain such a quantity of spiral vessels, that they are capable of being pulled out by handfuls, and are actually collected, in the West Indies, and sold as tinder: or, according to the quotation from “Decandolle’s Organographie Végétale,” tom. i. p. 38, “the top of the Plantain tree appears to be composed almost entirely of spiral vessels, when cut across; and so abundant are they, as to be collected in handfuls, in the Antilles, and form a kind of tinder.”

The number of threads capable of being drawn from each convolution of these spiral vessels, is from seven, as M. de la Chesnay has calculated even to twenty-two. (Idem, p. 37.) The young shoots of the Banana trees make an excellent edible.

The threads procured from the stalks of some species of this family are used for very fine and delicate-textured linen and muslin. At Manilla there is an extensive manufacture of muslins and sinamaya, or grass cloth, from the coarsest to the finest texture it is possible to manufacture, and, sometimes it has been stated, “made of fibres so fine, that they require to be manufactured under water, because, if exposed to the sun and air, they become too fragile to work.”[145] The coarsest fibres of the same plant form the Avaca, or Manilla hemp of commerce, used in the manufacture of cordage. The species of Musa is called _M. textilis_; but I do not consider it at all accurately known: it forms plantations at Manilla, but I could never see it during my visit to that country.

Finlayson gives the following interesting information respecting the wild Plantain tree, found on the island of Pulo Ubi, off the southern extremity of Cambodia.

“We had,” he says, “the good fortune to find that splendid herbaceous plant in flower: unlike, however, to that luscious and most delicious fruit raised by the hand of man, the fruit of the wild Plantain contains scarce any pulp whatever. Its leathery sheath incloses numerous series of large black seeds, attached to a pithy, central stem, and immersed in a gummy substance resembling birdlime.

“It appeared, by our systematic works, that the seeds of this most useful plant have been but rarely seen by botanists; hence doubts had been expressed upon the subject. In none of the cultivated varieties are there any seeds discoverable; though, at times, we may observe minute black points in the pulp, disposed in longitudinal rows. These are, probably, the feeble traces of seeds not yet quite extinguished by cultivation, the black perisperm being the last to disappear. The seeds were numerous, covered with a thick, black, brittle shell, and as large as those of the custard apple, but of a more irregular shape.

“There is no necessity to refer, as Willdenow does, the origin of all the cultivated varieties, and of all the species enumerated by botanists, to the _Musa troglodytarum_, a native of the Molucca Islands, as the parent stock. Our specimens accorded with the descriptions given of _Musa sapientum_. The seeds were in all respects perfect, and apparently capable of propagating the plant. Indeed, its existence on these islands, so rarely frequented by man, and altogether unfit for cultivation, can be accounted for on no other principle than the fertility of the seeds.”[146]

It is, however, curious (and whether it depends on the fertility of the soil, I will leave for the decision of others) that the _Fehi_, or _Wild Plantain tree_, (_Musa Fehi_,) which is found growing so luxuriantly about the declivities of the mountains, has no seeds in its fruit. Sometimes a few straggling plants are found in the romantic valleys of the beautiful island of Tahiti, (and also others of the Polynesian Islands,) propagating themselves by suckers: so dense at some places have I seen them, that they appear almost united into one mass. The fruit produced from this species is large, full, of a dark orange colour, (which contrasts harmoniously with the very dark green colour of the foliage,) containing a bright yellow pulp; and although in a perfectly wild state, does not contain any seeds: its taste, when perfectly ripe, is sweetish, but with a roughness or astringency of flavour, so that they are usually preferred roasted, by which their flavour is evidently very much improved. This species also yields, from the trunk, a quantity of a dark, purplish juice, which I did not find was used by the natives for any purpose, but it may, probably, be applicable as a dye.

At the Society Islands, the natives dry and press the ripe fruit of the Banana, which forms in that state an excellent sweetmeat, and might be probably a profitable export to Sydney, (N. S. Wales,) where it is now occasionally seen when sent as a present to some resident at that town.

It is related in Cook’s First Voyage, whilst in Endeavour River, that a “party returned about noon, with a few palm cabbages, and a bunch or two of wild plantains; the plantains were the smallest I had ever seen, and the pulp, although it was well-tasted, was full of small stones.”[147]

Captain King stated to me that he attempted to find this tree during his stay at Endeavour River, when he surveyed the Australian coasts, but his researches were unsuccessful. In another part of the same volume,[148] it is stated of the Bananas, at Batavia—“There is one which deserves the particular notice of the botanist, because, contrary to the nature of its tribe, it is full of seeds, and is therefore called _Pisang batu_, or _Pisang bidgie_; it has, however, no excellence to recommend it to the taste, but the Malays use it as a remedy for the flux.”

Where grass or hay cannot be procured, voyagers will find the succulent stem and leaves of this plant, as well as the leaves of the _Dracæna terminalis_, an excellent substitute, for feeding goats and other animals.

THE INHABITANT OF THE NAUTILUS POMPILIUS.

(_See_ page 399, vol. i.)

It was on the 24th of August, 1829, (calm and fine weather, thermometer at noon 79°,) in the evening, when the ship Sophia was lying at anchor in _Marakini Bay_, on the south-west side of the island of Erromanga, one of the New Hebrides Group, Southern Pacific Ocean, that something was seen floating on the surface of the water, at some distance from the ship; to many it appeared like a small dead tortoiseshell cat, which would have been such an unusual object to be seen in this part of the world, that the boat which was alongside the ship at the time, was sent for the purpose of ascertaining the nature of the floating object.

On approaching near, it was observed to be the shell-fish, commonly known by the name of the Pearly Nautilus; (_Nautilus pompilius_;) it was captured and brought on board, but the shell was shattered from having been struck with the boat-hook in capturing it, as the animal was sinking, when the boat approached, and had it not been so damaged would have escaped.

I extracted the fish in a perfect state, which was firmly attached to each side of the upper cavity of the shell. On being brought on board, I observed it retract the tentacula still closer than before, and this was the only sensation of vitality it gave after being caught; I preserved the soft parts immediately in spirits, after making a rude pen and ink sketch of its form.

On breaking the lower part of the shell, the chambers, or cavities, were found filled with water.

The _hood_ has been stated by Dr. Shaw (Lectures, vol. ii. p. 165) “as being of a pale reddish purple colour, with deeper spots and variegations;” the colour, however, as it appeared in this recent specimen, was of a dark reddish brown, in fact, resembling the colour produced by the _Koka_ on the stained cloth of the Tongatabu natives, intermingled with white.

We had fine weather—light winds and calms, a day or two previous to this animal being caught.

The representations of the animal in Dr. Shaw’s works are not at all correct; that by _Rumphius_ is correct, as far as regards the description of the external parts of the animal.

This species of Nautilus is stated to be called _Kika, lapia_, and _Krang modang_, by the natives of Amboyna; and _Bia papeda_, _Bia cojin_, by the Malays.

This animal has, for a number of years, been a _desideratum_ of science; but some doubt existed whether it might not have been captured with the shell; and the collectors, not valuing the animal, or being unaware of the value attached to it by naturalists, may have extracted and thrown it away.

The two following accounts confirm this supposition; I place dependence upon the statements, because at the time both persons were ignorant of the form of the fish, and were also unaware of its value: they knew it more from the beautiful colours of its shell, than from any other part connected with it.

An officer of his Majesty’s ship Ariadne informed me that he caught the shell with the animal within it, on a reef at the _island of Pemba_, near _Zanzibar_, on the _eastern coast of Africa_, at the time himself and several others, belonging to the ship, were seeking for shells. (This occurred in the year 1824.) The animal was not floating upon the water, but was in a hole on the reef; he does not recollect which part of the shell was uppermost. The mantle of the fish, like a thin membrane, covered the shell, which was drawn in as soon as it was touched, and the elegant shell was then displayed. “I and others,” observed my informant, “when it was first seen, did not notice it, regarding the animal, as the membrane enveloped the shell, merely as a piece of blubber; but having touched it by accident, the membranous covering was drawn in, and we soon secured our beautiful prize.”

“The fish,” he further observed, “was a large mass attached to the shell, which we soon extracted and threw away, as we only wanted to _collect shells_.”

The mantle was compared to what he had subsequently seen covering the shells of the _Harps_ and _Cowries_.

These animals were not numerous, for this was the only one collected during the time they remained there, or on subsequent visits.

A section of the shell was afterwards made on board, but none of the appearances, or whether air or water was contained within, could be recollected.

A mate of a whaler, who had been shipwrecked upon, and resided among the Fidgi group of islands in the Southern Pacific, for nearly three years, says he has seen the shell of the _Pearly Nautilus_, containing the living animal, floating on the water, near one of the islands. He had only seen two, as they are not commonly seen _with the fish in them_, although the empty shells were very numerous among that group of islands.

He stated, the first time he saw one, was when in a canoe with some other shipwrecked Europeans; it was then floating upon the surface of the water, the mouth of the shell uppermost. It was enveloped in the mantle, which extended some distance upwards, and over the whole of the shell; it had such an appearance as to cause one of the men in the canoe to say, “There is a large piece of blubber upon the water:” on approaching it the animal retracting the mantle, displayed the beautiful striped shell, and sank before they could capture it.

At Manilla, the shells of this species of Nautilus are in great abundance; they are neatly carved, the whole of the coloured part of the shell being removed, and the portion exposed appearing of a beautiful nacre, or mother-of-pearl, with the raised white carved figures upon it, which have a pretty effect. I could not procure any with the soft parts, but was told by a gentleman that he had seen them with the fish, but it was always taken out and thrown away, and the shell alone preserved.

One of the shells cut, and the aperture turned downwards, forms the base; the keel of the shell, with the aperture uppermost, is placed upon it, forming a pretty vase of antique form, and highly esteemed in Europe as ornaments for the mantel-piece; they are sold at Manilla for a few reals the pair.

The inhabitant of this beautiful shell, which I brought safely to England, has been described and dissected by my esteemed friend, R. Owen, Esq., and published, with splendid engravings, by the Curators of the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons in London.

ON THE HABITS OF THE VIVERRA MUSSUNGA, OR JAVA CAT.

(_See_ page 438, vol. i.)

On the 14th of May 1833, I purchased one of these animals from a native canoe, which came off to the ship on the coast of Java: it is commonly known among Europeans by the name of the _Java-cat_, and is a native of Java, Sumatra, and perhaps others of the eastern islands. This specimen was young, and appeared very tame. The native from whom I procured it, had it inclosed in a bamboo cage, in which I also kept it for a short time.

The colour of the back is blackish, intermingled with shorter hairs, of a dirty-white; the forehead and most of the face whitish, intermingled with black; neck and abdomen of a yellowish colour; the eyes are full and large, of a yellowish-brown colour; pupil perpendicular, becoming dilated at night. It resembles the cat, in being more of a night than day animal.

It feeds on plantains and other fruit, and also fowls’ bones. When busily engaged in picking the wing-bone of a fowl, it growls most savagely if disturbed in its repast; which well shows the nature of the beast. “He eats only plantain,” said the Javanese, from whom I purchased it; but could the animal have spoken for himself, he would have probably hinted that “portions of the animals composing the feathery kingdom” would also be acceptable, by way of variety. It is tame and playful, like a kitten, throwing itself on the back, playing with a bit of string, making, at the same time, a low, whining noise.

It utters a sharp, quick, squeaking noise, as well as a low moaning, more particularly at night, or when in want of food, or some water to quench its thirst. The specimen is a male: it was very playful, and climbed up my arm, by aid of its claws, like a cat. When it drinks, it laps like the dog or cat.

May 17th. This morning, the animal had broken through and escaped from its cage during the night, and was about some part of the ship.

May 18th. The whole of yesterday, the creature was reported as “absent without leave;” but early this morning he was found in the cabin of the second officer, asleep upon a jacket. He appears sufficiently tame to be left at liberty, so I did not immure him in a cage again, but kept a piece of long string attached to one of the hind legs, so as to limit his extent of range, when I found it necessary.

Whilst writing in my cabin, the animal was either lying down quietly asleep, or else came to see what I was about, thrusting its little sharp snout among my papers, and amusing himself by playing with my pens and pencils.

The animal is called _Mussong_, at Java, and I found it was also known by the same name among the natives on the north-east coast of Sumatra: it licks and cleans its furry coat with the tongue like the cat, especially after it has been much handled; and seems also to possess the _caution_ and _secretiveness_ of that tribe. It growls savagely when disturbed or teazed. It lapped some coffee one morning, but became sick soon after.

It seems to be a fretful, impatient, little creature, and when it does not get its wants gratified, becomes “terribly out of temper,” or rather gets into a temper which is of a bad description. It then snaps ferociously at the finger placed near it, but its young teeth can make but little impression; it is in downright earnest, however, for it bristles up and advances its long whiskers, uttering a series of peevish cries and growls.

It was lying upon the pillow of my bed one morning, when I took the creature off, and placed it upon as soft a place which had been made up in the cabin on purpose for it; but this would not do; it did not like the removal, and there was no termination to its peevish, fretful cries, until it was removed back to the old place, where being deposited, after licking itself about those parts of its furred coat that had been ruffled by handling, it stretched itself, and laid down quite contented.

The squeaking, discontented noise of the creature during the night, when it is tied up, is very annoying. I suppose the desire of making nocturnal rambles, as is the nature of the tribe, was the cause to which the cries were to be attributed.

At last I used to give it fowl bones at night to amuse itself, and being occupied in _crunching_ them, I was no more annoyed by its nocturnal cries.

When fighting it uses the fore-paws, with extended claws, biting at the same time, retreating and advancing quickly, snapping, bristling up its long whiskers, and appearing a fierce object for one of the small animals of the creation. It does not spring at the object of attack like the cat, but jumps forward; it uses the claws of the fore-feet more than those of the hind, which, being both longer and sharper, are more calculated for the purpose of defence, as well as in climbing. It regards the object well previously to attack, exercising the three prominent organs in the feline race of _caution_, _secretiveness_, and _destruction_; and then, with its little angular mouth expanded, it pounces upon, and firmly grasps its prey.

The little beast has a very morose looking countenance, what some people skilled in physiognomy would call a “_sour, forbidding countenance_;” and, judging from what I have seen of this tamed and young specimen, it must be, in the wild state, a very savage animal.

Unlike the cat, when drinking it does not care about wetting its feet, for it often places the fore-paws in the water at the time.

It often plays with its long tail, as well as with any thing that may be in the way, similar to what we observe in kittens; and often scratches against objects, growling at the same time, as if practising for future defence.

It eats fowl readily, but not other kinds of meat so well; it ate some pine-apple with much avidity.

It will carry away a bone given to it into a dark corner, growling and snapping at any one that may attempt to take it away.

Sometimes, when left to itself, it utters such loud squeaking cries, as to be heard all over the ship. One day, at dinner time, (when the animal was first on board,) a noise was heard, from whence it proceeded, or from what, we could not tell, until the mystery was explained by the steward, who said it was “the foreign cat.”

Like all animals, whether of the genus _Homo_, or lower in the scale of creation, the Java Cat does not like to be disturbed at meals. This little ill-humoured quadruped is particularly savage at that time, but, like the human race in all its numerous varieties, when “feeding time” is over, and it has had a sufficiency of provender, it will remain quiet, and be usually in a tolerable good-humour; but when hungry, there is nothing but growling, whining, screeching, grumbling, crying, until the appetite is satisfied.

I gave the animal one morning a dead cockroach, but after turning and twisting about, and licking it for some time—perhaps it was not hungry, it would not eat it.

When the creature is excessively annoyed, it retires into some dark hole or corner, making a spitting noise, and is very furious against any one that may attempt to dislodge it from that place, thus formed into a refuge for the ill-tempered.

When first set at liberty he was missing for one or two days, having gone on a tour by way of change of scene; he soon, however, returned to his old quarters, ran about the cabins, and when sleepy during the day would take to the warmest and most comfortable situation the cabins afforded; it was as fully domesticated as a cat.

The _Mussong_ runs about quite domesticated, and climbs well, occasionally aiding itself by the tail having a prehensile power.

He also runs about, particularly at night, and in the morning is usually found quietly asleep upon the softest bundle of clothes he can meet with, in the cabin into which he has introduced himself: he dislikes much to be handled, or petted, or crammed, (unless he crams himself, which he very often does,) and, therefore, he is not to be recommended to that variety of the human species called a “maiden lady, of a certain age.”

At last I let the creature ramble about where it pleased in the after part of the ship; it reposed in the cabins, or any other place it liked. It used to wander about like a cat, and come at meal time for food, until the 14th of June, when it was missing, and search being made about its usual haunts, the animal was discovered dead among some oakum in one of the cabins.

When at Pedir, on the north-east coast of Sumatra, I procured another young but larger specimen than the preceding; it was purchased for half a rupee. Although wild with strangers, with the native from whom the animal was purchased it was exceedingly domesticated. I have seen it follow him like a cat along the pathway for some distance, when he placed it out of his arms upon the ground; the natives gave it the same name here as at Java, _Mussong_.

These animals attain the size of our domestic cats, living in their wild state upon the summits of trees, eating the fruit, and also birds, when they have caught them.

They eat sugar-cane, plantain, rice, and also those troublesome insects the cockroaches.

When I placed this animal in my cabin it remained very quiet, not making so much noise as the last; but, a few days after, it became so very vicious, not suffering any one to approach or touch it, without spitting, growling, and fighting so furiously, that I at last was obliged to destroy it, preserving the skin in a dried state for stuffing, and the body in spirits for a future dissection.

LUMINOSITY OF THE OCEAN.

(_See_ page 35, vol. i.)

Mr. F. D. Bennett, exhibited, at a meeting of the Zoological Society, on the 25th of June, 1833, several specimens of a species of Pyrosoma, captured by him, on the 6th of September, 1832, at sea, in latitude 1° 41′ north, longitude 11° 56′ west. Between 2 and 4 A.M. the sea, having been two hours before less luminous than usual, presented one mass of bright phosphoric light, extending to a considerable distance around the vessel. The extensive field of bright luminous matter emitted so powerful a light as to illuminate the sails, and to permit a book of small print to be read with facility near the windows of the stern cabins. Above this luminous field numerous sea fowl were hovering in search of their prey. The light appeared to be entirely owing to the Pyrosomata.

Specimens taken from the sea and placed in a vessel containing sea water, ceased altogether to emit light, or emitted it but sparingly while they remained at rest. On the water, however, being agitated, or when one of the masses of animals was taken into the hand, the whole became instantly illuminated by myriads of bright dots, much resembling in hue the points on the elytra of a diamond beetle (_Curculio imperialis_, Fab.)

The Pyrosoma, thus enveloped throughout its whole extent in a flame of bright phosphorescent light gleaming with its peculiar hue, presented a most splendid spectacle; the light shed by it was sufficient to render objects distinctly visible in every part of an otherwise dark room. If long retained in the hand, or returned to a quiescent state in the water, the luminous spots gradually faded, and no light was visible until the animal was again disturbed, when the illumination instantly returned with all its vivid splendour. After death it emitted no light.

The mass of Pyrosoma, of the usual cylindrical form and gelatinous substance, was about four inches in length and one and a half in circumference. The tube, passing along its middle, is described as being open at both ends; the orifice at the broader extremity being much better defined in its circular form, larger, and more distinct than that of the opposite end. The surface of the mass appeared to be studded with numerous prominent, rigid, and pearly tubercles intermingled with small specks of a brown or red colour. In these latter the power of emitting light appeared chiefly to be seated, these being frequently bright, while the remainder of the body exhibited only its natural white or yellowish white hue; a hue which changed after death into a red tinge. The brown specks, when removed from the body, did not emit light.[149]

TREATY BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND ACHEENESE GOVERNMENTS.

(_See_ page 2, vol. ii.)

Treaty of friendship and alliance between the Honourable English East India Company and the kingdom of Acheen, concluded by the Honourable Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, Knight, and Captain John Monckton Combs, agents to the governor-general, in the name and on the behalf of the Most Noble Francis Marquis of Hastings, Knight of the most noble order of the Garter, one of his Britannic Majesty’s most honourable Privy Council, Governor-general in Council of the British possessions in India, on the one part, and his highness Sri, Sultan Alla Iddeen Jowhara, Allum, Shah, king of Acheen, for himself, his heirs, and successors, on the other.

In consideration of the long and uninterrupted peace, amity, and good understanding, which has subsisted between the Honourable English East India Company and his highness’s ancestors, the kings of Acheen, and in order to perpetuate and improve their friendship, to the advantage and prosperity of their mutual states and subjects. It is hereby agreed and determined.

ARTICLE I.—There shall be a perpetual peace, friendship and defensive alliance, between the states, dominions, and subjects of the high contracting parties, neither of whom shall give any aid or assistance to the enemies of the other.

ARTICLE II.—At the request of his highness, the British government engages to require and to use its influence to effect the removal of Syfful Allum from his highness’s territories, and the British government further engage to prohibit him or any of his family, as far as they may be subject to their authority, from doing or committing in future any act or acts, tending to prevent or impede the full re-establishment of his highness’s authority. His highness the king engaging himself to place at the disposal of the supreme government of British India, such pension or annuity, as it may, in its wisdom, deem meet to recommend for the said Syfful Allum, on the condition of his retiring to Penang, and engaging to relinquish all claims to the sovereignty of Acheen, within three months from the date hereof.

ARTICLE III.—His highness the king grants to the British government the free trade of all his ports, and engages that the duties on merchandise, levied at those ports, shall be fixed and declared, and shall also be paid by the resident merchant. His highness likewise engages not to grant or authorize a monopoly of the produce of his states by any person whatever.

ARTICLE IV.—His highness engages, whenever the British Government may desire it, to receive and protect an accredited agent of the British government, with a suitable establishment, who shall be permitted to reside at his highness’s court, for the purpose of conducting the affairs of the Honourable Company.

ARTICLE V.—In consideration of the injury which might result to the British trade from its exclusion from the ports of his highness’s states, not at present subject to his authority,—his highness agrees and consents that the ships and vessels of Great Britain shall continue their commercial intercourse with the ports of Acheen and Tullasamoy, in the same manner as heretofore, unless a temporary blockade of these ports, or either of them, shall at any time be established by and with the consent of the British government, or resident authority.

It is clearly understood, however, by the contracting parties, that no warlike stores or arms of any kind shall be furnished, given, or sold, to any of his highness’s rebellious subjects, by the vessels so trading to the aforesaid ports, under penalty of confiscation of ship and cargo.

ARTICLE VI.—His highness Sri, Sultan, Alla, Iddeen, Jowhara, Allum, Shah, agrees, promises, and engages himself, his heirs, and successors, to exclude the subjects of every other European power, and likewise all Americans, from a fixed habitation or residence in his dominions; he also engages not to enter into any negotiations, or to conclude any treaty, with any power, prince, or potentate whatsoever, unless with the knowledge and consent of the British government.

ARTICLE VII.—His highness engages not to permit the residence, in his dominions, of any British subject to whom the resident agent shall offer any objections.

ARTICLE VIII.—The British government agrees to give and furnish to his highness, without delay, all the arms and military stores which are detailed in the paper appended to this treaty, and signed by his highness. (Arms and military stores; gunpowder, forty barrels; four hundred muskets; grape and round shot; four hundred musket balls, &c. &c.; cash, Spanish dollars, fifty thousand.) The British government agrees to advance to his highness the sum of money, therein mentioned, as a temporary loan to be repaid by his highness at his earliest convenience.

ARTICLE IX.—This treaty, consisting of nine Articles, has this day been concluded, subject to the ratification of the governor-general, within six months from the date hereof; but it is to be understood that the several provisions herein contained may be carried into immediate effect, without awaiting the said ratification.

Done at Sirduli, near Pedir, in the country of Acheen, on the 22nd day of April, in the year of our Lord, 1819; corresponding with the year of the Hegira, 1234, and the 26th day of Jemadil Akir.

(Company’s seal.)

Signed,

T. S. RAFFLES. (Seal.)
JOHN MONCKTON COMBS. (Seal.)

FOOTNOTES

[1] See Appendix A, at the end of the volume.

[2] One of the merchants, a Moorman, named _Mahomet Monsour_, engaged, if a ship was brought next season to Sawang, (a village further to the eastward) to deliver on board six thousand peculs of the Areka-nut in the space of eight days.

[3] Pungarang is the title of prince.

[4] I understand that no arms or warlike stores are permitted to be exported for Penang, or any other of our settlements for this coast; if the Acheenese king requires any, he sends a requisition to the government of Penang, who supplies him at fifteen per cent. above the cost price, to cover the expenses of freight, &c.

[5] Most of the country vessels that visit the coast have native supercargoes, as they effect much better bargains with the native merchants upon the coast than Europeans.

[6] I have before stated, that the heat generated by a cargo of the Areka-nut is excessive. I recollect the carpenter of a ship, when desirous of bending some wood, placing it under the main hatch, among the nuts; in a few minutes it was sufficiently steamed for its intended purpose; after a fortnight or three weeks the heat is materially moderated.

[7] A number of vessels from Penang come for the nut at this season, to take it to that settlement in time for the Indiamen, who purchase it for the China market.

[8] Abel’s China, 4to. p. 59.

[9] Abel’s China, 4to. pp. 60, 61.

[10] The definition of this harbour in the Chinese language is as follows:—

Kum, Sing, Moon,
Gold, Star, Gate.

“Gold Star” among the Chinese is the planet Mars, so that this place is named _Margate_.

[11] White porpoises, slightly tinged with pink, are frequently seen tumbling about in the “moons” and sea in the vicinity.

[12] At one time, during a rebellion in China, the emperor’s troops lost courage, (which to us must appear a wonderful event among Chinese,) and would not proceed against the rebels: this called forth from the emperor the following public rebuke:—“The emperor rebukes very sharply all the governors of the Chih-sang provinces, from which authority emanates, on account of their negligence in attending to the state of the military under their jurisdiction. He makes particular mention of the prevalent use of opium among the Canton military, and of the misconduct of the Ho, nan troops on their road to Fuh, keen.”—_Canton Register_, No. 13, 14, 16th Sept 1833.

[13] No individuals, except Portuguese, or naturalized Portuguese, are permitted to be owners of houses at Macao.

[14] The name _Kaki_ is said to be Japanese; this fruit is not so named by the Chinese.

[15] I had models of the two kinds just mentioned, executed with great accuracy by a Chinese. The imitations of the fruit were modelled from clay, and accurately coloured afterwards according to nature.

[16] It is curious that Linnæus, by bestowing upon this bird the specific name of _Apoda_, or without feet, should have credited the assertion that it was so.

[17] Made from the milky juice yielded by the trunk of the Sukun, or bread-fruit tree.

[18] Forrest’s Voyage to New Guinea, &c., pp. 134-137.

[19] It has been stated, that during flight they cry like starlings.

[20] Pigafetta says, in his relation of Magellan’s voyage round the world, that in the island of Bachian, (one of the Molucca islands,) a species of bird, of exquisite beauty, was found, which the natives called “the bird of God,” saying it came from Paradise.

[21] Kai usually expresses any birds of the gallinaceous tribe.

[22] In the common Canton dialect, Kum signifies gold; but in the Mandarin dialect, Kin is the name for gold; so that this bird is named both Kum, kai, and Kin, kai.