528 Remarks on the different species of Orang-utan. [No. 6. 



prudent to await the further evidence which Sir J. Brooke has kindly 

 promised that he would endeavour to procure and send, before 

 venturing to confirm or modify my previously expressed opinion on 

 the subject. 



This fact would appear certain, that the partial anchylosis of the 

 epiphyses of the limb-bones does not rigorously denote cessation of 

 growth : unless the female Orangs attain to greater stature than 

 the males, which is most unlikely. It would seem rather, that as 

 the earthy salts are continuously absorbed and re-deposited, some 

 continuance of extension supervenes, until finally checked and 

 stopped by the considerably increased deposition of bone. The 

 skull also continues loug to increase in size, after the last true 

 molars have been brought into use. 



As regards the sexual distinction, a practised eye discerns it 

 readily in the adult skull, by its superior general massiveness iu the 

 male ; and, in the skeleton, the larger and broader pelvis of course 

 denotes the female animal, combined with a proportionally smaller 

 and less robust skull than in the other sex. There is no reason to 

 doubt the correct determination of sex in any one of the specimens 

 here noticed. 



The occasional but rare occurrence of the unguinal phalanx to the 

 hallux or great toe, would seem to be proper to no particular sex or 

 species ; for it exists in our male JBappan from Sumatra, and in our 

 female Bambi from Borneo. 



It now remains to connect the osteological with the exterual 

 characters of the different species ; to determine the stature attained 

 by the largest males of the Rarnbi, Pappan, and also Kassar, to 

 obtain further information of the Pithecus cuetus, and to verity 

 or otherwise the P. Owenii. With the powerful aid of the accom- 

 plished Eaja of Sarawak, we trust to be enabled ere long to resolve 

 these various problems. 



