The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-12-01
The Orang-outang.


Certainly the orang-outang presents
many features strikingly in common with
man, and one which Button saw and
studied is described as being of sweet
temper, having the instinct to sit at table
and behave himself with perfect propri-
ETY.. More than one instance is recorded
OF their having learned to play a few
notes on a hute-whence no doubt PANS
celebrated pipes-and, although they do
not appear ever to have learned to artic-
ulate words, TissoD, who dissected one,
declared it to possess perfect vocal organs,
exactly corresponding to our own. Buff
fon's account of the creature would seem
to indicate that, although he classes him
with the apes, he was particularly struck
with his human qualities HE has no
tail; his arms, hands, fingers, and nails
are like enr own; he always walks erect
he has features very similar to those OF
man, with ears of the same shape, hair
upon his head, a beard upon his chin, and
skin neither more nor less hairy than
man possesses in state of nature The
inhabitants, therefore, of his country
have not hesitated to associate him with
the human race under the name of orang-
outang, or wild man. Looking only at
his face, one might regard the orang.
outang either as the first of apes or the
last of men; because, with the exception
of soul, he lacks nothing that we have
and because in body he differs less from
man than he does from the other animals
to which the name of ape is given" The
observations of early naturalists and
travellers exaggerate his peculiarities in
many respects, as might, indeed, be e1-
pected In state of nature he does not
build himself houses, as has been asserted
his nest being merely a rude platform Of
sticks on the lower branches of tree,
covered, in some rare cases, with a few
broad leaves for roof Although he is
capable of approaching the use of fire
and will warm himself at one which
travellers have left, he seems to have no
notion of keeping it in even by throwing
on log or two. Though he does walk
erect on two legs his favorite method OF
progression is by his hands from branch
to branch of a tree so that, after all,
his resemblance to man is, at the best,
superficial. Still it is very desirable that
the habits of such creature should be
carefully studied when, no doubt, many
interesting idiosyncrasies would be dis
covered. The close resemblance which
does exist between the orang-outang and
man, genial satirist of the commence
ment of this century, whose works are
too little read, Thomas Love Peacock, has
turned to good advantage in political
novelette, called Melincourt; or, Sir
Oran Haut-Ton." The latter is a gentle
simian of the same race as the distin-
guishsd visitor to the Aquarium, who,
having been captured in the woods of
Angola when very young, is brought up
by sympathetic negro family, and ulti-
mately finds his way into the possession
of a certain Mr.. Forester, who, charmed
by his gentleness and accomplishments,
purchases for him baronetcy and an es-
tate, introduces him into good society,
and proposes to get him returned to par
Lament for the rotten borough of One
vote. The idea is, of course, an extrava-
CANT one, but in the authors hands it
furnishes the base not only for an anus
ing story, but the opportunity for venti-
lating sound, common-sense views upon
the politics Of his day. with suggestions
for the reform of the most glaring abuses,
some of which have since been swept
away; concerning some that still remain,
Peacock's words are full of profit and in
struction.-Te Saturday ReUieaO.
THE gap, however, zoologcally, between man
and the Orang, is, according to all naturalists,
simply immense. The lowest human skull has
twice the volume of brains of the highest ape
skull. Note also the statement that Tisson dis
sected an orang. outang, and declared it to pos
sess perfect vocal organs. exactly corresponding
to our own" This is very significant state
ment. Why have they never learned to talk {?
Because speech is not the outcome of certain or
gans, but of the power to think and generalse.
EDS. Cen. PRES