20 
PRIMROSE : THE ANATOMY OF THE ORANG OUTANG 
relation to the sole as compared with the condition on the human foot 
but nevertheless corresponding to the curved line at the base of the 
so-called ball of the great toe in man. A few longitudinal grooves are 
observable on the sole of the Orang ; these are due to adduction of the 
digits towards one another. 
It will thus be observed that in studying the foot of the Orang it 
bears more resemblance to a hand than a foot. In fact as an instrument 
for grasping objects it is much more serviceable than the hand of the 
same animal. The hallux is more strongly developed than the pollex, 
and the movements of opposition and adduction are much more 
strongly carried out by the foot than by the hand. The Orang could 
grasp a sphere with the foot much more readily than with the hand. If, 
therefore, we were to restrict our considerations to the markings in the 
integument, as indicating the use to which the member is put, we might 
be led to conclude that the posterior extremity of the ape ended in a 
hand and not in a foot. On the other hand, as we shall observe later, 
when we proceed to describe the dissection of the creature we shall be 
forced to admit that morphologically the structure in question is a foot 
and in no sense a hand. We shall take an opportunity of referring 
again to this subject after the anatomy of the soft parts has been 
described. 
Concerning the manner in which the Orang uses its hands and feet 
in progression one may quote Huxley’s remarks. He says : “ it very 
unwillingly assumes the erect posture, perhaps never in its native 
haunts. When it walks upon the ground it swings itself along by its 
very long arms as with crutches, not resting exactly on the knuckles, 
as the great African apes, but with the inner edge of the index finger 
on the ground and the thumb spread out. The hind foot does not 
come flat to the ground, but rests upon its outer edge with the toes 
close together and curved. Even when passing from bough to bough 
of the trees among which its life is chiefly spent, it observes a remark- 
able slowness and caution in its movements.”^ 
The Myology of the Extremities. 
The Trapezius arose from all the dorsal spines, from the ligamentum 
nuchae and, by an origin 2 cm. wide from the occipital bone. It was 
inserted into the outer third of the clavicle, the acromion process and 
1 Loc. cit, Vol. I, p. 564. 
2 My colleague, R. D. Rudolf. M.D., Edin., dissected the rightsldeof the Orang, and noted in detail the 
connections and relations of the muscles of the fore and the hind limbs. I have noted throughout my paper 
those points in which Dr. Rudolfs account differed from the results obtained by me in the dissection of the 
left side of the animal. 
