28 OURANO OUTANG. 



three, others six, and even seven feet high. This diversity, 

 if real, probably arises from climate or age : there is no 

 doubt that the animal is frequently as tall as man, and 

 much stronger. One of them was dissected by Dr. Tyson, 

 who gives an interesting account of its comparative ana- 

 tomy, but it is too long to be transcribed here. 



These animals can seldom be taken alive, and therefore 

 are not often seen in Europe. They inhabit the thickest 

 part of the woods in the Moluccas, in Borneo, and other 

 oriental islands ; and are likewise found in the distant parts 

 of India, on the continent of Africa, and in Madagascar. 

 In some of those regions, hunting them is the favourite 

 amusement of the grandees and princes ; but the sport is 

 not unattended with Janger to its followers. 



The Pongo, or Ourang Outang of Africa, according to 

 Battel, resembles a man in all respects except in its supe- 

 rior size. Its face is almost entirely human; but its eyes 

 are deep sunk in the head, and on each side of the visage 

 are long hairs, which give it a ghastly appearance. The 

 body is lightly covered with hair, and it walks erect and 

 undaunted. It sleeps under shady trees, constructs a hut 

 to shelter it from the heat and rain, and wholly subsists on 

 fruits. Its instincts are remarkably acute ; and it is so little 

 subject to timidity, that when the negroes make fires in its 

 vicinity, it approaches them to warm itself. It is a gre- 

 garious animal ; and, whenever it meets a man alone and 

 unarmed, it seldom shows him any mercy. It even at- 

 tacks the elephants with clubs; and is thus the only 

 creature, except man, that makes use of weapons. It is 

 at once cunning, strong, and cruel ; and is said sometimes 

 to carry off the negro women. 



An ape of this kind which fell under the notice of the 

 illustrious Buffon, evinced unusual sagacity and powers of 

 imitation. It walked on two legs even when it carried a 

 burden ; its air was always tinctured with melancholy, and 

 its whole deportment was grave. Unlike the baboon or 

 monkey, whose motions are violent and appetites capricious, 

 who are prone to mischief, and submissive only through 



