40 NATURAL HISTORY. 
eft pleafure is to be perpetually ftealing, and hiding 
their thefts. Woods and trees are their chief habita- 
tions, where they feed on fruit, leaves, and infects. 
Such js their a¢ctivity, that they will leap from tree to 
tree, even when loaded with young. Being a fociable 
animal, they go in companies or tribes, for the differ- 
ent fpecies never mix with each other. Serpents will 
purfue thena to the tops of trees, where they frequent- 
ly devour them whole. 
Although they are not carnivorous, they will, to 
gratify their propenfity to mifchief, rob birds nefts, 
both of their eggsand young. In countries where a- 
pes abound, the feathered tribe difplay great fagacity 
in dine db their nefts as far as poffible beyond their 
reach. 
As thefe creatures differ too much in their fpecies, 
for a general defcription to afford an adequate idea of 
their nature, we fhall particularly notice the follow- 
ing. 
es 
* 
OURANG OUTANG, or THE WILD 
- MAN OF THE WOODS, * 
‘Tins name is given to various animals that walk 
upright, but which have different proportions, and 
come from different countries. ‘he ourang outang 
greatly refembles in countenance, a toothlefs old’ wo- 
man, and approaches nearer to the human race. than 
any other animal whatever. This creature, indeed, 
correfponds fo nearly in form to man, that many have 
expected to find the fame correfpondence. But the 
contrary being found, difproves that fceptical affer-” 
tion, that matter forms the nature of the mind, It 
proves, likewife, that the moft curioufly conftruéted — 
odies are formed in vain, unlefs a correfponding foul 
is infufed, to direct and controul its operations. 
Dr. Tyfon gives the following defcription of oné of 
thefe animals brought from Angola,in Africa, 
