■2^0 Defcrlptionof the Orang Outang 



animal was caught, we were informed' by M. Palm, that it 

 defended itfelf fo furioufly with (harp-pointed flicks, which 

 it 'broke off from the trees, that it was impoffible to take it 

 alive. This property it feems to poffefs in common with the 

 African pongos, which, as Beutel fays, attack elephants with 

 thefe weapons, and drive them from their places of refort*. 

 The following is an accurate meafurement of the different 

 parts of this animal, according to the Rhinlandic footf 

 divided into twelve inches : 



Whole length of the animal from the foles of the feet to 

 the crown of the head 3 feet ioj inches. This, however, 

 does not agree with the meafurement made in the ifland of 

 Borneo, where the whole length was found to be 49 inches ; 

 but perhaps a different ftandard was employed, or the body 

 of the animal might have become contracted by lying irt- 

 arrack. Circumference of the body at the (boulders 3 feet 

 •| of an inch. Circumference of the body below the bread 

 3 feet 34 inches. Circumference at the hips 2 feet 4^ inches. 

 Aperture of the mouth 4^ inches. Length or projection ot 

 the muzzle 2l inches. Diftance from the middfe of the 

 upper lip to the eyebrows 4^ inches. Diftance between the 

 corners of the eyes i-i inch. Breadth of the eye the fame. 

 Diftance from the eyebrows to the hinder part of the head 

 6-| inches. Diameter of the head from top to bottom 1 cl- 

 inches. Diameter of the head acrofs, meafured at the 

 diftance of 3-|- inches from the top of the above line, 6~ 

 inches. Diameter of the head meafured as before, at the 

 diftance of 6^ inches from the crown, 9^ inches. External 

 circumference of the ear 3^ inches. Circumference of the 

 ear below where it adheres to the head 3 inches. Height of 

 the ear i| inch. Breadth T of an inch. Diftance from 



* Oughr not this property to procure to the orang outang the firft rank, 

 among animals next to man ? For, whatever Buffon may lay to the con- 

 trary, we know of no oiher animal which willingly employs for its defence 

 any weapons but thofe beftowed on it by nature. 



f The Rhinlandifh is to the Engliih foot as 1033 to 1000. It is there- 

 fore equal to u.396 Englifh inches. Edit. 



the 



