The Ourang Outan. 173 



IX. Quadrumana, or Four-handed Animals. 



THE OURANG OUTAN. (Simia satyrus.) 



ANIMALS of the Monkey tribe are furnished with hands 

 instead of paws ; their ears, eyes, eyelids, lips, and breasts 

 resemble those of the human species. For greater facility 

 of description, the animals of this extensive tribe are 

 usually arranged in the three divisions of Apes, Baboons, 

 and Monkeys. Apes are destitute of tails, and the chief 

 of this kind is the Ourang Outan, or Wild Man of the 

 Woods : he is found in the forests of Borneo and Sumatra. 

 He is a solitary animal, and avoids mankind. The largest 

 are said to be six feet high, very active, strong, and in- 

 trepid, capable of overcoming the strongest man : they 

 are likewise exceedingly swift, and cannot easily be 

 taken alive. When young, however, the Ourang Outan 

 is capable of being tamed: one of them, shown in 

 London some years ago, was taught to sit at table, make 

 use of a spoon or fork in eating, and drink wine out of a 

 glass. It was mild and affectionate, much attached to its 

 keeper, and obedient to his commands. 



