APES, MONKEYS, AND LEMURS. 17 



The reduction of the number of vertebrje between the neck and the sacrum 

 to sixteen, together with the retention of the central bone in the wrist, the 

 great length of the arms, which in the upright posture 

 reach to the ankles, and the peculiar upward prolongation of Orang-Utan 

 the vertex of the skull, serve at once to show that the (Simia.) 



orang (Simia) stands on a lower evolutionary platform 

 than either of the preceding representatives of the family. Externally it is 

 further distinguished by the rudimentary condition of the great-toe, the 

 peculiarly flattened form of the almost dish-like leaden-hued face of the 

 adult, and the red tinge of the long and shaggy hair, tlie latter being in 

 marked contrast to the black hue of the gorilla and chimpanzees. Although 

 in possessing only a dozen pairs of ribs the orang differs from both the latter 

 and resembles man, yet this resemblance is greatly outweighed by the differ- 

 ence in the number of the vertebrae. 



It is now generally admitted that there is but a single species of orang- 

 utan (Simia satyrics), which is confined to the great islands of Sumatra and 

 Borneo, and is known to the Dyak inhabitants of the latter by the nam-e of 

 Mias. A peculiar characteristic of the adult male is the presence of a large, 

 smooth, soft, tumour-like, flexible expansion of the skin of the sides of the 

 face, giving the remarkable breadth and flatness so characteristic of the whole 

 countenance. In size, orangs are subject to considerable variation, large 

 males reaching from four feet two inches to four feet six inches ; the females 

 being much smaller. 



The orang is a much more truly arboreal animal than either of the other 

 large apes, and is likewise a solitary creature, the sexes only coming together 

 at the pairing season. Females are generally to be seen accompanied by 

 their young, sometimes only a single one, but in other instances with those 

 of two birtlis. The young cling with remai'kable tenacity to the body of the 

 mother as she climbs from tree to tree. Although most excellent climbers, 

 orangs are exceedingly slow and deliberate in their movements, and are thus 

 quite unlike the gibbons. 



Mr. Brooke of Sarawak says, " The orangs, so far as I have been able to 

 observe them, are as dull and as slothful as can well be conceived, and on no 

 occasion, when pursuing them, did they move so fast as to preclude my keep- 

 ing pace with them easily through a moderately clear forest ; and even when 

 obstructions below (such as wading up to the neck) allowed them to get away 

 some distance, they were sure to stop and allow us to come up. 1 never 

 observed the slightest attempt at defence ; and the wood, which sometimes 

 rattled about our ears, was broken by their weight, and not thrown, as some 

 persons represent. If pushed to extremity, however, the pappan could not 

 be otherwise than formidable ; and one unfortunate man, who with a party 

 was trying to catch one alive, lost two of his fingers, besides being severely 

 bitten on the face, whilst the animal finally beat off his pursuers and escaped. 

 When hunters wish to catch an adult, they cut down a circle of trees round 

 the one on which he is seated, and then fell that also, and close before he 

 can recover himself, and endeavour to bind hira. The rude hut which they 

 are stated to build in the trees would be more properly called a seat, or nest, 

 for it has no roof or cover of any sort. The facility with which they form 

 this seat is curious ; and I had an opportunity of seeing a wounded female 

 weave the branches together, and seat herself in a minute. She afterwards 

 received our fire without moving, and expired in her lofty abode, whence it 

 cost us much trouble to dislodge her. The adult male 1 killed was seated 

 8 



