AJSTATOMT OF THE ANTHEOPOID APES. 203 



In this case the differences are not believed to amount to a difference of species; bat 

 if a Mongolian were to come under scientific observation for the first time, the peculiar 

 characters of the face would be undoubtedly sketched and published for purposes of 

 reference. I think, therefore, that it is worth while to publish the drawing of the 

 Orang " George," even if it were definitely known to belong to the same species as the 

 Orang figured by Dr. Hermes, which is far from being proved. At the very least the 

 two drawings exhibit the extreme range of variation of one species. While describing 

 the head I may call attention to the scanty eyebrows and to the slight development 

 of beard upon the chin. 



§1. The Hand. 



The back of the hand is illustrated in the accompanying drawing (Plate XXVI. 

 fig. 1), and the palm of the hand in another drawing which I also exhibit (Plate XXVII. 

 fig. 1). I am not acquainted with any good illustrations of this member or of the foot 

 in the Orang. 



The back of the hand is hairy down to the distal extremity of the second phalanx in 

 all the fingers except the second (index). But there is a remarkable patch covered 

 with very short stubbly hair, caused, no doubt, by the friction produced as the animal 

 walks resting partly upon the backs of the hands. This patch runs obliquely across the 

 back of the hand, as shown in the drawing, and is about \ an inch to f in breadth. 

 The hairs upon the fingers are short and stubbly ; on the index they are nearly 

 absent, a narrow line only on the outer side of that finger being hairy. 



The grooves on the palm of the hand may be compared with those of the Chimpanzee. 

 The right hand has in both cases been selected for illustration. They are distinctly 

 more human in the Orang, the greater resemblance to man being chiefly due to the 

 fewness of the cross lines. The two lines also which run to the roots of the ihird and 

 fourth fingers from the transverse line dividing the palm are seen in the human hand, 

 but are barely traceable in that of the Chimpanzee. It will be noted that there is 

 only one continuous cross line (a, b), and that the line e of the Chimpanzee hand is 

 wanting. The palm of the hand is illustrated in Alix's paper referred to in my descrip- 

 tion of the Chimpanzee's head. There is also a figure of the palmar as well as the 

 upper surface of the manus of the Sumatran Orang (regarded by Fischer and Anderson ^ 

 as a distinct species and synonymous with Geoffroy's T. licolor) in a paper by Abel ^, 

 but there is no indication of the grooves nor of the patches covered with short hair on 

 the back of the hand ; it is very probable that these characters are at least accentuated 

 during life in captivity, which necessarily gives less opportunities for climbing and 

 more for walking upon a hard surface. 



' Cat. of Mamm. Indian Museum, vol. i. 



- " Some Account of the Ourang Outang etc.," Asiat. Eesearoh. vol. xv. (182.5) p. 489. 



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