Major Farquhar's discovery of the tapir in the Malay Peninsula was followed in the same year by the discovery of the animal in Sumatra. Mr. Siddons, the British Resident at Bencoolen, wrote on the 6th December, 1816 the following lettrer to the Secretary of the Asiatic Society.
"Sir,
I have sent on board the Ship Claudine, commanded by Captain Welsh, a very rare animal called on this coast the Tannoh which I beg you to present to the Asiatic Society in my name.
It resembles, with extreme closeness the Tapir of Buffon. It was presented to me by the Pangeran of Soongye Lamswe, who informed me that it was caught in a paddy plantation upon his lands in the interior. Search was made for its parents, but no traces of them were discovered the people were attracted by the shrill cry of the animal, which they found at the edge of the paddy ground, close to a thicket, amidst very long grass, the Pangeran himself is, perhaps, the oldest man living in these districts: He says that he never saw but one other animal of this description, which was when he was about ten years old, and that he has never heard of one having been seen since, that which he then saw was of the size of a small cow.
The Tannoh eats boiled rice, after it has got cool, grass, leaves &c. It is of a very lazy habit, but perfectly gentle, and loves to bathe, (remaining a very considerable time under water) and to be rubbed or scratched, which he solicits by throwing himself down on his side. He has been in my possession almost three months, during which period he has grown considerably, and his skin has changed from a dusky brown, streaked and spotted with white, to its present appearance.
I trust the animal will reach Calcutta alive, when no doubt it will gratify the curious in natural history.
- I remain, Sir,
- Your very obedient servant
- G. J. SIDDONS.
Sumatra, Fort Marlborough, 6th December, 1816.
