THE BLACK ORANO. 107 



species, were exhibited together in the Egyptian Hall, 

 Piccadilly, in 1831, and afforded a treat to the lovers 

 of zoology. They were both very young ; the black 

 orang had been procured by a trading vessel on the 

 river Gambia, and was much the most pleasing of 

 the two. He was compared to a black child, but 

 with a head of overgrown proportions. He was very 

 docile, and generally playful and gentle ; like all his 

 tribe, he was fond of wine and water, or diluted 

 spirits; and they were used as an incentive for him 

 to perform his part before strangers. Neither of 

 these animals survived long, but fell victims to cold, 

 which seems invariably to affect the orangs, generally 

 before the expiry of the first winter. 



Our plate is taken from a stuffed specimen in the 

 Edinburgh Museum, which, though not in a very 

 good or entire state of preservation, agrees generally 

 with the above descriptions. 



The second form among the orangs is described by 

 Geoffroy under the title of Piihecus. The young 

 state of this animal may be said to be well known, 

 and at an age of from thpee to five years, may be 

 characterized by a facial angle of 65 ; by the canine 

 teeth exceeding the others in length,* and the molar 

 teeth being nearly square on the upper surface; 

 the head rounded, no cheek pouches or callosities ; 



* In the adult, the canine teeth will far exceed the others in length, 

 as much nearly as among the strong carnivora. 



