24 Mr Grant's account of an Orang-Ontang from Borneo. 



in possession of his title of Pongo, as also the somewhat ano- 

 malous individual described by Wurmb, it is desirable for ob- 

 vious reasons, that when the Asiatic Simia satyrus is describ- 

 ed, we should adhere to his Asiatic designation of orang-outang. 



In conclusion, it only remains for me to apologize for such 

 defects as I fear will be found in this paper. My motives in 

 writing it, independent of the interruptions by other busy avo- 

 cations, will, I trust, be indulgently remembered in mitigation 

 of such errors. I have, however, endeavoured to state such 

 facts as fell under my observation fairly, and to reason upon 

 them impartially. 



I beg to subscribe myself, with great respect, Sir, your most 

 obedient, humble Servant, 



J. Grant, 

 Assistant-Surgeon Bengal Establishment. 



Calcutta, 30th November 1827. 



Note. — We shall be happy to hear again from Mr Grant regard- 

 ing the future history of the orang-outang in the possession of Mr Swin- 

 ton. It is possible that there may be two species, a gigantic one, like 

 that described by Dr Clarke Abel in a former number of this Journal, and 

 a smaller one, identical with the Pongo of Wurmb. As to their walking 

 habitually in the erect position, however, a point which Mr Grant seems in- 

 clined to support, the anatomical structure of the tribe precludes the possi- 

 bility of this; and this structure, not much better fitted for motion on all 

 fours, indicates, what is found in fact to be the case with all the known 

 species, that their habitation must be in forests and among trees, — a habi- 

 tat necessarily implying an organization of members for climbing, and for 

 which their posterior extremities, equally adapted for prehension with the 

 anterior, are wonderfully adapted. Many of the Mammalia, when acting 

 on the defensive, rear upon their hinder legs, or sit upon their haunches ; 

 and it was quite natural for the large specimen killed by Captain Corn- 

 foot, to approach his assailants in the erect position, thus leaving, be- 

 sides his teeth, his two arms free, to be used for his protection. As to 

 any fancied resemblance to human communities, implied in apes being 

 generally found in numbers together, it may be observed, that most fru- 

 giverous animals are gregarious, associating for mutual protection ; and, 

 upon the whole, it seems now to be the general opinion, that any intel- 

 ligence the ape displays beyond the dog is to be attributed solely to the 

 particular structure of his members, enabling him to mimic with effect 

 human attitudes. 



