THE ORANG OUTANG. 



is fomewhat exaggerated, as we have not met with a well authenticated 

 account of any individual exceeding the height of two feet and a half, when 

 erect ; though, it is probable, thefe had not attained their full growth. 



The face of the Orang Outang is flat, naked, and furrowed ; it is of a 

 tawny colour, and has a lingular projection where the eye-brows are 

 placed. The eyes are round, and approach near to each other. Linnaeus 

 fays they are furnilhed with a nictitating membrane, like Owls and other 

 nocturnal animals ; but this we have never had an opportunity to examine. 

 The nofe is fliort, the mouth large and lituated at a conliderable diltance 

 from the nofe. The ears are much larger than in the generality of Apes, 

 and the hands and feet are remarkably Ihort. The fingers and toes are 

 diverted of hair, and all furnifhed with nails. The top of the head, the 

 back, and the fore parts of the arms and legs are covered with coarfe black 

 hair, except a fpot on the hips, which is naked ; but this does not appear to 

 be a conltant character, fome individuals having that part covered with 

 hair. The breaft, belly, and inward parts of all the limbs are almolt naked. 

 The direction of the hair on the fore arm is rather lingular ; being all pointed 

 upwards from the wrill to the elbow. The general alpect of this animal 

 feems to warrant the idea of its polTeHing great bodily lirength ; his breaft 

 is broad and large, and his limbs very mufcular. 



The Orang Outang inhabits the interior parts of Africa, it frequents 

 defert places, and thickets which produce the tree called, by Linnaeus^. 

 Adanfonia baobab, of which it is remarkably fond. 



Travellers alTert that it conltructs habitations, which it covers with the 

 leaves of trees : thefe it relinquilhes to the females with their young, and 

 lives out of doors (a). 



This animal pofTelfes great appearance of intellect ; it is ealily tamed 

 when taken young, and Ihews marks of attachment to thofe perfons with 

 whom it alfociates ; never forgetting either good or bad treatment. It 

 learns to walk erect, though its gait is rather awkward. Some have 

 alTerted, that it may be taught to perform particular fervices j fuch as a 



(a) Matthews' Voyage to Sierra Leona. 



