4 ORAN OTAlSr. 
seems to be dusky or brown ; in some ferrugiftotts 
or reddish brown, and in others coal-black, with the 
skin itself white. The face is bare ; the ears, 
hands, and feet nearly similar to the human, and 
the whole appearance such as to exhibit the most 
striking approximation to the human figure. 
The likeness, however, is only a general one, and 
the structure of the hands and feet, when exa- 
mined with anatomical exactness, seems to prove, 
in the opinion of those most capable of judging 
with accuracy on the subject, that the animal was 
principally designed by nature for the quadrupedal 
manner of walking, and not for an upright pos- 
ture, which is only occasionally assumed, and 
which, in those exhibited to the public, is, perhaps, 
rather owing to instruction than truly natural. 
The Count de Buffon, indeed, makes it one of the 
distinctive characters of the real or proper ape3 
(among which the oran otan is the chief), to walk 
erect on two legs only ; and it must be granted, 
that these animals support an upright position much 
more easily and readily than most other quadru- 
peds, and may probably be very often seen in thh 
attitude even in a state of nature. 
The manners of the Oran Otan, when in capti^ 
vity, are gentle, and perfectly void of that dis- 
gusting ferocity so conspicuous in some of the 
larger baboons and monkies. The Oran Otan is 
mild and docile, and may be taught to perform, 
with dexterity, a variety of actions in domestic 
life. Thus it has been seen to sit at table, and, 
in its manner of feeding and general behaviour, to 
