On laying open the duodenum, it was found to contain a quantity of mucus, slightly tinged with bile; the colon and cœcum were full of liquid bilious fœces, mixed with mucus, and several small ulcerated patches were seen on the inner surface, and a dark spotted appearance at other parts: the rectum also contained similar fœces, but mixed with a curdy matter; and there were several large patches of ulceration on the inner coat,[59] more particularly near the termination of the gut; the kidneys were healthy; on the right the capsula renalis was large, but none was seen on the left; the bladder was quite empty, the inner surface scarcely moist. The animal had been castrated, but the spermatic cord terminated in the scrotum in two small oval substances, rather larger than small peas; the sacrum and os coccygis were similar to those parts in the human subject.
The communication of the larynx was examined; the epiglottis was only indicated by a slight obtuse angular rising; the sacculi laryngis were three-eighths of an inch in the long diameter, one-eighth in the short; their margins were well defined, continued forwards, below the body of the os hyoides, into a membranous sac, situated beneath the external thick one.[60] This animal has one common sac, and thus differs from the orang-utan, which has two. The extremities of the bones of the animal were cartilaginous.
The Angola orang (Simia troglodytes, Linn.) has been considered the most perfect of animals, much more so than the Indian orang, (Simia satyrus,) which has been called the orang-utan, although both are very inferior to man in corporeal powers and intelligence. When the Indian orang is compelled to take flight from pressing danger, he immediately falls down upon all fours, showing clearly that this was the original position of the animal.[61]
This assertion is correct according to my own observation, as far as regards the orang-utan, and many of the Gibbons, who maintain the erect posture only for a short period; but I found the Ungka ape of Sumatra, (Simia syndactyla,) although, similar to the orang-utan, he would occasionally aid himself by the knuckles when walking, yet would maintain a more erect posture than I have ever observed in the latter animal, besides his general form of body and countenance assimilating more to the human being than the orang. I have seen the Ungka, when pursued, continue to maintain the erect position for some time, until through fatigue, or more probably from terror, he would fall to the ground, becoming an easy capture; but let the ropes of a ship, or any trees, be within reach, he would then avail himself of the powerful, prehensile, and muscular power bestowed upon him by nature, and whether over the rigging of the ship, or the branches of the trees, he would then have sufficient strength and agility to defy pursuit, although he could not effect it on a level surface.
CHAPTER IX.
The Botanic Garden—The Croton tiglium—The true Camphor-tree—The Malaleuca Kayu-puteh—Excursion into the interior of the island—Botanical productions—Chinese farms and plantations—Pepper harvest—Plantain-trees—Gambir plantations—Boiling houses—Cultivation and preparation of Gambir—Dense vegetation of the Jungles—Establishment of a Chinese-planter.
The Botanic Garden will soon cease to exist. Of the valuable trees it contained a few remain, liable frequently to injury from the inroads and depredations of cattle; and I understand that its locality is to be disposed of in lots for building. A large number of thriving nutmeg and clove-trees laden with fruit, still remain; and a few common tea-trees are seen flourishing, occasionally covered by blossoms, and fruit; several Bauhinias, among which the B. tomentosa was conspicuous with its ornamental, delicate, white blossoms and leguminous pods, as well as the Gardenia, whose fragrant flowers diffused a powerful scent around some time before the shrub could be discerned; small plants of the Champaca (Michelia suaveolens) were also seen, but had not yet attained a sufficient elevation to gratify by the agreeable appearance and odour of its blossoms, which are so much the delight of the Javanese women, and other native females, who perfume and ornament themselves with its flowers.
Among others which excite interest to those of the medical profession was the Croton tiglium, at that time both in fruit and flower; from the seeds of this shrub the well-known and powerful purgative Croton-oil is obtained; the true camphor-tree (Dryabalanops Camphora of Colebrooke) from Sumatra, which yields the medicinal camphor[62] was also in the garden; this valuable tree was in a very healthy and thriving condition, and was nearly ten feet high; the Malaleuca Kayu-puteh, from which the highly-valued cajeput, or, correctly speaking, Kayu-puteh oil is obtained by distillation from the leaves, attracted my attention, and confirmed my previously formed opinion, that a much larger quantity of this oil might be obtained from the foliage of the Australian Eucalypti-trees; more especially those which have opposite, rounded, and whitish leaves; the oil produced by them being in considerable quantity. On taking and rubbing the leaves of this Malaleuca it would be very difficult to distinguish it in odour from those of the Eucalypti, occasioned by the oil contained in them; this valuable oil may therefore, at but little expense, be distilled in any quantity in the colony of New South Wales; the genuine oil cannot be purchased at Singapore at a cheaper rate than from two and a half to three dollars for a bottle, which contains about a pint of the oil; but there is a large quantity of an adulterated article very generally sold by the natives at this settlement. The tree, which I felt some interest in examining, was about twelve feet high, branchy, and was at this time both in flower and fruit; the bark was smooth and velvety, and appeared to be deciduous, similar in character to that which I have remarked in the Malaleuca or tea-tree of New South Wales.[63]
Across the creek, at the upper part of the settlement and near the splendid and extensive pile of buildings, the residence of E. Boustead, Esq. is a wooden bridge, at present in a very dilapidated state, and impassable for carriages, which is a source of great inconvenience to ladies and others who visit across the water. It is reported that a new bridge is in contemplation, to be erected a short distance above the site of the old one; and it would be desirable, for the convenience of the residents, that it should be commenced and finished as speedily as possible.[64]