Mr Grant's account of an Orang-Outang from Borneo. 23 



of the Sumatra giant, of from seven and a half to eight feet high, 

 across the middle of the thigh, was only one foot. 



The orang described by D'Obsonville appears to me to have 

 been an adult. At least, in no other domesticated orang have 

 I heard of the penis having acquired such a length as five inches 

 in a state of rest. 



I am also permitted by my friend Captain Gillespie (Aid- 

 de-camp to the Right Honourable the Governor-General) to 

 mention that he saw an orang-outang near four feet high, or 

 between three and four feet, in the possession of the Honour- 

 able Mountstuart Elphinstone, Governor of Bombay. It was 

 in every respect (but size) he says, like Mr Swinton's orang, 

 and in the course of two years had not apparently grown an 

 inch. As no exact measurements, however, are referred to, I 

 merely mention the circumstance, without laying much stress 

 upon it. Supposing however, the fact to be stated with the ut- 

 most accuracy, it is in favour of the idea, that there may be a 

 gigantic and medial, or common variety of orang-outang. The 

 animal alluded to is described as being very fond of woollen 

 clothing. It delighted in enveloping itself in the folds of a 

 blanket, and so completely would he do so sometimes as to have 

 no part visible but his eyes. He certainly was considered a 

 full grown animal. I am hardly warranted, however, in using a 

 masculine designation, as Captain Gillespie cannot be positive 

 as to the sex of the creature. It appeared to exhibit consider- 

 able emotion on the approach of young ladies, evincing an 

 anxiety to be with and caress them. I am not without hopes of 

 learning more particulars respecting this individual, as Captain 

 Gillespie supposes it to be still alive. 



The absence of precise phraseology has involved occasionally 

 in some degree of obscurity the history of the orang-outang. 

 Among such terms as Pongo, Jocko, and Chimpanse, used by 

 travellers or naturalists, it is not always easy to find out the 

 precise animal meant. In the eastward, too, I have no doubt 

 that the orang-outang has been sometimes confounded with the 

 long armed Gibbon.* Leaving the black African Simla satyrus 



* A species of orang-outang is said to exist in Assam, a specimen of 

 which is shortly expected in Calcutta. It will probably prove to be the 

 Gibbon alluded to in the text. 



