484 



Tllii HIGHER ANTHROPOIDS 



shortness of his legs causes him naturally to assume. The disproportion 

 between his limbs is increased b\ walking on his knuckles and not on the pahn 

 of liis hand. He chooses those branches ^vhich intermingle with those of the 



Courffsy, AmtTnan A/u.st-um oj Salujul History 



FIGS. 2iy AND 220. HA.ND A.XD FOOT OF THE ORANG-OUTANG. 



Lept. Palmar surface of hand showing long, prehensile ty|jc of liand and sliort, rudiment.iry lluinib. These 

 features are special adaptations to arboreal life. 



RiGnr. Plantar surface of the foot showing the great toe in a position about midway bclwccn the heel and 

 the other toes. The lesser toes are long, and especially adapted to the clinging grasp necessary to arboreal 

 life. Attention is called to the position of the great toe and the advance toward the ball of the foot 

 which progresses in the next higher apes, chimpanzee and gorilla (see Figs. 247, 248, 284 and 285). 



adjoining trees. In approaching these, he stretches out his long arms, seiz- 

 ing the neighboring bough with both hands, and then dehijcrately swings 

 himself across to the next branch on which he walks along as belore. He 

 never jumps or springs nor e\cn ajjpears to liurrx hnnsell, yet he manages to 

 get along almost as quickly as a person can viin through the lorest beneath. 

 The long powerful arms are of the greatest use to the annnal as thc\- enable 

 him to climb easily the highest trees, to seize fruits and young lea\es from 



