MONKETS. 83 



of the thigh-bone. In the orangs, on the contrary, 

 and indeed in all the monkeys, the lower extremities 

 are comparatively short, while the upper, or arms, 

 are very long, so as to allow the knuckles to be 

 applied to the ground when the animal is nearly 

 erect, and which is, in fact, the mode of progression 

 always adopted when necessity requires this position. 

 The black orang noticed by Dr Tyson advanced in 

 this manner, and that dissected by Dr Trail was 

 observed never to place " the palms of the hands on 

 the ground." Dr Abel's red orang performed " the 

 progressive motion by placing his bent fists upon the 

 ground, and drawing his body between his arms." The 

 narrowness of the pelvis, and the short neck of the 

 femur, forming an acute angle with the spine, also 

 renders the erect position impossible for any time, 

 and always irksome, which is farther confirmed by 

 the weakness of the muscles. The glutei are scarcely 

 visible, and the calves are very weak.* 



The extensors of the knee are much stronger in the 

 human subject than in other mammalia, as their 

 operation of extending the thigh forwards on the leg, 

 forms a very essential part in the human mode o 

 progression. The flexors of the knee are, on the con- 

 trary, stronger in animals, and are inserted so much 

 tower down, even in the monkeys, that the cord 

 which they form keeps the knee habitually bent, 



" " Les fesses etoient presque aulles, ainsi que les mollcts " 

 F. CUVIER. 



