Page:Babyhood of Wild Beasts.djvu/44

34 weighing 150 pounds. Homesickness is the chief cause of their early deaths. The big apes require a variety of food as do human beings. Flesh, fish and fowl, with liberal portions of eggs, milk, fruits and vegetables, make up their diet. They are very fond of soups and nuts. The Orangs are easily taught to take soup from a spoon. They feed themselves readily, man-fashion, and can use a knife and fork with ease.

In the wild state they eat all kinds of wild fruit, leaves, nuts, birds and birds' eggs. Orangs are easily taught to wear the clothing of humans, to drink from cups and bottles, to smoke cigars, drink intoxicating liquor, skate on roller skates, ride bicycles, walk a tight rope or slack wire. They learn these things in two or three weeks' time.

"The largest specimen on record stood 4 feet 6 inches in height, measured 42 inches around the chest, and between finger tips stretched 8 feet. The hand is 11½ inches long, the foot 13½ inches, but the width across the palm is only 3¾ inches. The weight of a large, full grown