THE ORANG-OUTAN. 25 
inferred from the height of the animal. It will also be seen that each creature is repre- 
sented with the knuckles of one hand resting on the tree-trunk on which they are 
supported. This peculiar action has been thus noted, because, when these creatures aid 
their steps by placing the hands on the ground, they have the curious habit of resting 
the knuckles on the ground, instead of the palms of the hands, as might have been sup- 
posed. From this peculiarity, the three apes have received the appropriate title of 
“ knuckle-walkers.” 
The head of the Chimpansee is remarkable for the large development of the ears, 
which stand prominently from the sides of the head, and give a curiously peculiar expres- 
sion to the contour of the head and face. 
We should probably have seen many more specimens of this ape imported into this 
country, had not the superstitious fears of the natives kept them aloof from meddling with 
these animals. Probably on account of the weird resemblance to the human form, which 
is one characteristic of their race, or on account of their cunning, the inhabitants of the 
Gaboon and the neighbourhood labour under the dread of being bewitched by the 
Chimpansees, and so very prudently let them alone. Certainly, they would be “no 
canny” to deal with, and the discretion exercised is not to be blamed. 
THE ORANG-OUTAN. 
THE title of Satyrus, or Satyr, is very rightly appled to the huge ape which is known 
by the name of ORANG-OUTAN. 
For, saving that the long-eared Satyrs of the classic authors were more intellectual in 
countenance, and usually wore hoofs instead of hands at the extremities of the lower 
limbs, there is no small resemblance between the veritable and the imaginary wild man 
of the woods. 
An ancient proverb tells us that there is no smoke without fire ; and we generally find 
that even the wildest travellers’ tales have some foundation in fact. The ruddy colour of 
the hair of these Satyrs is especially noticed, and the reader will remark that the Orang- 
outan is at once distinguishable from the two preceding animals, by the reddish, chest- 
nut colour of its hair. The goat-legs with which Satyrs were generally furnished, do not 
seem to be indispensable, for I have now before me two curious old wood-engravings of 
Satyrs, neither of which creatures possess the hircine leg. 
One of them is represented with a flute in his hand, and legs and feet of a human 
form, while the other is a composite animal altogether. On the top of his head is a huge 
fleshy comb, like that of a cock ; two ibex horns curl over his shoulders, and his ears are 
those of an ass, dressed and pointed. Three large skin pouches hang from the throat to 
the middle of the breast, concealed at their origin by an enormous beard that curves 
upwards until its tip is on a level with the nose. The body and limbs are those of a 
man, fringed and studded with tufts of long hair, and the tail is that of a wolf. The 
hands are replaced by four-clawed paws, and the feet are modelled from those of the 
chameleon. 
The account which is affixed to the portrait, avers the colour of the nondescript to be 
a “yellowish carnation,” and states that it was seen in a forest belonging to the Bishop of 
Saltsburg, in the year 1530. The date of the print is 1658. 
In connexion with this subject we may mention the curiously similar legends of 
Brazil, as told by Dr. Lund. With the exception of colour, and of several added pecu- 
liarities, the native accounts of the Caypore, as they call the creature, differ but very 
slightly from the tales told of the Ingheena of Africa. 
The animal is said to be equal in stature to the human form, to be in the habit of 
walking in the erect posture, to be quiet and harmless when young, but when aged to 
become fierce and dangerous, and to attack mankind with the formidable tusks that grow 
from its jaws. So much for the points of similarity, which are sufficiently striking. The 
additional properties are as follow :— 
