xiv] 



LIMBS OF THE ORANG 



limbs are reversed. The arms take the place of legs, and become 

 the principal organs of locomotion. Their movements in passing 

 from one . tree to another are very similar to those of the Wa-wa 

 (Hylobates), but much slower. On sloping branches the animal 

 walks on its feet and helps itself on by its hands. On the ground 

 they are very clumsy, for they cannot extend the foot so as to 



Fig. 39. A. BONES OF LEFT HAND, AND B. OF LEFT FOOT OF ORANG (-J-). 



place the sole on the ground, but walk on the external edge of the 

 foot, which is kept bent. The two hands are applied to the ground 

 by the knuckles, the hand being closed and the fingers bent. This 

 is a well-known character of the Anthropomorpha, although the 

 gorilla approaches man much more nearly in this respect, having 

 feet better adapted for terrestrial progression and capable of being 



203 



