THE ORANG-OUTAN, 



knuckles on the ground, instead of the palms of the hands, as might have been 

 supposed. From this pecidiarity, the three apes have received the appropriate 

 title of " knuckle- walkers." 



The Orang-outan is a native of Asia, and only to be found upon a small 

 portion of that part of the globe. Borneo and Sumatra are the land most 

 favoured by the Orang-outan, which inhabits the woody districts of those islands 

 and there rules supreme, unless attacked by man. . 



The Orang-outan is easily distinguished from the Gorilla and Chim- 

 pansee, being of a light reddish chesnut, and when grown and of full age, the 

 males are remarkable for the singular manner in which the face is swollen, 

 and the jaws project. In all cases, the old aj)es are savage, sullen, dangerous, 

 and testy of temper ; but when young they are sufficiently docile, and can easily be 

 tamed. Several of these young apes have been brought to England, but they all 

 die in a short time. One of them, with whom I had a personal acquaintance, 

 was a curious old-fashioned creature, bearing a resemblance to a garden spider, 

 being furnished with a very little head, set closely upon the shoulders, a round 

 lump of a body and inordinately long legs and arms. It had a quaint, wistfully 

 beseeching expression in its little wizened face, and had just the air of a decrepit 

 man of sixty. A young Orang-outan was tamed by Dr. Abel, who gives the 

 following account of its life. 



At first the ape was put into a cage, but he broke the bars and got out. Then 

 he was chained, but he detached the chain from the staple, and findhig that the 

 heavy links incommoded him, he coiled the chain round his shoulder, and to 

 prevent it from slipping, held the end in his mouth. As he always succeeded in 

 escaping from his bonds, his keepers made a virtue of necessity, and pennitted 

 him to enjoy the full range of the vessel. Among the ropes he was quite at home, 

 and, trusting to his superior activity, was accustomed to take liberties with the 

 sailors, and then escape among the ropes. One very curious trait in his character 

 must be given in the words of the narrator. 



" Although so gentle when not exceedingly irritated, the Orang-outan could be 

 excited to violent rage, which he expressed by openhig his mouth, showing his 

 teeth, and seizing and bliing those who were near him. 



" Sometimes, indeed, he seemed almost driven to desperation ; and on two or 

 three occasions committed an act which in a rational being would have been called 

 the threatening of suicide. If repeatedly refused an orange when he attempted to 

 take it, he would shriek violently and swing furiously about the ropes, then return 

 and endeavour to obtain it. If again refused, he would roll for some time like 

 an angry child upon the deck, uttering the most piercing screams ; and then, 

 suddenly starting up, rush furiously over the side of the ship and disappear. 



