32 



NATURAL HISTORY. 



man than any other animal, is found in the west part of 

 Africa. Its height is from four to five feet. It common- 

 ly goes on all-fours, but it walks occasionally on its hind- 

 er hand-feet, though not with the erectness of man. Its 

 ears are very large, and it has long, black, coarse hair, 

 which hangs in heavy whiskers about its cheeks. It 

 climbs trees readily, sometimes for observation, and some- 

 times to gather food ; and it makes a nest for itself by 

 twining branches of trees together, in which it spends 

 much of its time. Its strength is astonishing ; it being 

 able to break off branches which two men together can 

 not bend. 



46. The Orang-outang, Fig. 12, is an inhabitant of the 



Fig. 12. Orang-outang. 



islands of Borneo and Sumatra. This is the largest of 

 the apes, having been known to be in some cases over 

 seven feet high. Its arms are of great length, reaching 

 to the ground when it is erect. It can not stand as well 



