20 TEXT-BOOK OF ZOOLOGY 



are very awkward, in consequence of its hand-like feet and the inward 

 direction of the soles of the feet. Only the exterior margin of the foot 

 comes in contact with the ground. To walk with surety the animal is 

 obliged to support itself on its hands, or really upon the knuckles of 

 the bent fingers. Hence its usual and most natural progress is on "all 

 fours." The Orang-Utan, in fact, is adapted to the one-sided existence 

 of an arboreal animal. (To how many-sided an existence, on the other 

 hand, is man adapted structurally ! Furnish proofs.) 



The animal, however, is but rarely obliged to descend to the ground, 

 for the trees of the aboriginal forest provide it with its necessary food, 

 while the rain which falls daily in its home, as well as the moisture con- 

 tained in the food, supply it with the necessary amount of water. 



C. Food. 



The exuberant forests which form its home supply the animal with 

 food in the greatest abundance. It consists of young leaves, juicy buds, 

 and all sorts of fruits. 



1. Its dentition bears the closest resemblance to that of man. The 

 four incisors, as well as the long dagger- shaped canines, by reason of 

 their size, strength and sharpness, serve as an effectual weapon of defence 

 (see Section D.). Powerful masticatory muscles enable it to bite with 

 almost incredible strength. 



2. The neck is short, the food being conveyed by the hands to the 

 mouth. (Compare in this respect animals e.g., cattle, storks which 

 pick up their food from the ground.) 



D. Enemies. 



On account of its great bodily strength, only the crocodile and the 

 python venture to attack it. We will relate in the words of a naturalist, 

 who has carefully studied its mode of life and habits, how the Orang- 

 Utan manages, as a rule, to get even with these foes. When the animal 

 fails to find fruit in the jungle, it proceeds to the river-bank in order to 

 feed on such young shoots and fruits as happen to grow close to the 

 water. It is then that the crocodile tries to seize it ; the ape, however, 

 leaps upon it, beats it with hands and feet, tears its flesh and kills it, or 

 tears open its jaws and throat. The python it seizes with its hands, and 

 very soon bites it to death. Its powerful voice alone suffices to alarm 

 the beasts of prey which infest the forests (compare the lion). In 

 uttering its cries, the large neck-pouch is filled with air and acts as a 

 resonator, thereby probably further increasing the strength of the voice. 



The Orang-Utan does not attack man unless it has been wounded. 



