THE ORANG-OUTANG. 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 rest- 

 ing the knuckles on the ground instead of the palms of the hands, as might have been 

 supposed. From this peculiarity, the three apes have received the appropriate title of 

 " knuckle-walkers." 



The head of the Chimpanzee 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 neighborhood labor under the dread of being 

 bewitched by the Chimpanzees, 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-OUTANG. 



THE title of Satyrus, or Satyr, is very rightly applied to the huge ape which is known 

 by the name of ORANG-OUTANG. 



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 

 color 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, chestnut color 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 color 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 connection with this subject we may mention the curiously similar legends of 

 Brazil, as told by Dr. Lund. With the exception of color, and of several added pecul- 

 iarities, the native accounts of the Caypore, as they called 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 follows : 



