370 
ORANG-OUTANG. 
.right angles, and the first cervical process is at so great a distance from 
the cranium, as to allow the head extensive motion backwards. Such 
are the differences which, according to the testimonies of Camper and 
Geoffroy, exist between the skeletons of Wurmb’s animal, and that of the 
Orang-Outang of Borneo ; and which, together with the absence of nails 
on the great toes of the former, and their existence on those of the 
latter, are surely sufficient, in the present state of our knowledge, to justify 
their being considered as distinct animals. 
I shall conclude these observations on the Orang-Outang of Borneo, by 
quoting Camper’s description of a peculiar appendage to the larynx of the 
animal, which, as he gravely tells us, shows the fallacy of the opinion 
which supposes Orang-Outangs will not speak, from their apprehension of 
being made slaves by men : I have also added some of the anatomical differ- 
ences by which he distinguishes them from man. 
“ In December, 1770> I dissected at Groningen, the Orang of M. Hoffman 
with the greatest accuracy : removing the skin and the broad muscles of the 
neck, I found the tongue-bone closely resembling that of the human species, 
and pretty large for the size of the animal. Pursuing my dissection, I dis- 
covered a large sack on the right side, running over the clavicular bones, and 
another on the left side, but visibly smaller. 
“ The large sack tore a little on account of its being tender, by having laid 
so long in spirits : I inflated it through the opening, which I continued 
quickly, as I perceived that the air went off betwixt the tongue-bone and 
the thyroideus cartilage ; I then followed up the rent with a pair of scissars, 
and cut open the sack, by which means I discovered a transverse split. There 
was now no doubt any longer, but that the left sack had a similar orifice. 
“ In pursuance of it, I took away the whole soft palate and the aesophagus, 
as far as below the speaking organs. The soft palate is the same as in most 
quadrupeds, with this difference, nevertheless, that the uvula on the hind side 
runs very evidently downwards, but not beneath the margin of the soft 
palate, much less does the uvula descend as in the human species. This 
palate appears, however, more capable than in other animals to be voluntarily 
contracted. 
“ Two such air-sacks were also found in the Orang sent me for investigation 
by M. Vosmaer, and again returned to him. The same were in the Orang 
which I dissected at the house of M. Van Hoey, on the 31st August, 1774, 
and were shewn to him and his son. 
