t ^o ] 



THE ORAN OTAN*. 



The Oran Otan approaches in external appear- 

 ance much more nearly to the human form than 

 any others of the Ape tribe : and it has, from this 

 circumstance, even sometimes obtained the appella- 

 tion of " Man of the Woods." 



The specimens of the Oran Otan, which have been 

 brought into Europe, have seldom exceeded three 

 feet in height ; but when full grown it is said that 

 their height is at least six feet, and that their strength 

 is then so great, that one of them is able with ease 

 to overpower the most muscular Man, Their co- 

 lour is generally a kind of dusky brown ; their feet 

 are bare, and their cars, hands, and feet, nearly 

 resemble those of mankind ; and indeed their whole 

 appearance is such as to exhibit a most striking ap- 

 proximation to the human figure. They have, how- 

 ever, a flatter nose, more oblique forehead, and 

 the chin without any elevation at the base. The 

 eyes are likewise too near each other, and the dis- 

 tance betwixt the nose and mouth nuich too great. 



When Dr. Tyson's Oran Otan, which I shall 

 soon have occasion further to notice, was examined 

 anatomically, a surprizing similitude was also seen 

 to prevail in its internal conformation. It differed, 



* Oran Otan in the Malayan kmguage signifies Wild Man, or ra- 

 ther, a Beini^ of intelligence. 



Syxonyms. — Simla Satyrus. Simia Troglodytes. Linn — Oranr- 



Ovrang. F«r.— Great A]ic. Pcun. — Man of the Woods. Edvxivds 



Drill. Charlton. — Smitten. Bosnian. — Barris. P«/-c//rt?.— Cliimpanze* 



Scotin. -Pongo in some ]>arts of the East Indies Jocko, in' Congo. 



Buffon. Shaxvs Gen. :2ooL pi. 1, 2, S, 4. 



