BOOK III. CHAP. I. 363 



runs with more eafe than he can walk, and requires artificial heels, 

 more elevated than thofe of fliocs in general, to enable him to walk with- 

 out incovenience for any length of time. Thefe are the only parts 

 in which he bears more refemblance to the ape kind than to man ; 

 but when he is compared with the ape, baboon, or monkey, he is found 

 to have far more conformity to man than to thofe animals. The In- 

 dians are therefore excufable for aflbclating him with the human 

 race, under the appellation of oran-outang, or wild man, fince he re- 

 fembles man much more than he does the ape, or any other animal. 

 All the parts of his head, limbs, and body, external and internal, are 

 fo perfectly like the human, that we cannot (fays he) collate them toge- 

 ther, without being amazed at a conformation fo parallel, and an or- 

 ganization fo exaftly the fame, although not refulting to the fame af- 

 feSfs. The tongue, for example, and all the organs of fpeech are the 

 fame in bath, and yet the oran-outang does not /peak ; the brain is 

 abfolutely the fame in texture, difpofition, and proportion, and yet he 

 does not think ; an evident proof this, that mere matter alone, though 

 perfeftly organized, cannot produce thought, nor fpeech, the index of 

 thought, unlefs it be animated wath a fiiperior principle. 



His imitation and mimickry of human geilures and movements, 

 which come {o near in fcmblance to the rcfult of thought, fet him 

 at a great diftance from brute animils, and in a clofe affinity to man. 

 If the effence of his nature confifts entirely in the form and organiza- 

 tion of the body, he comes nearer to man than any other creature, and 

 may be placed in the fecond clafs of animal beings. 



If he is a <:xfdX\xx^ fni geneiis^ he fills up the foace between man- 

 kind and the ape, as this and tlie monkey tribe fupply the interval 

 that is between the oran-outang and quadrupeds. 



When we compare the accounts of this race, fo far as they appear 

 credible, and to be relied on, we muft, to form a candid judgement, 

 be of opinion that Mr. Buffon has been rather too preci^-itate in fomc 

 of bis conclufions. 



We obferve that, in their native countries, they are not thoroughly 

 known ; they live fequeftered in deep woods, poilefs great ftrength 

 and agility of body, with probably fufflcient running to guard againll, 

 as well as nlmblenefs to elude, furprizes. The Negroes and Indians 

 believe them to be favage men ; it is no wonder that, lor the moll: pjrt, 



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