DERMATOGLYPHICS IN PRIMATES 165 



expressed itself in the perfected form. (In the assignment 

 of intensity values to such nascent patterns no discrimination 

 from other "vestiges" or "degenerate" patterns was made, 

 all being treated in like manner solely on the basis of descrip- 

 tive configurational character.) 



The whole palm and sole. In the succeeding discussion of 

 affinities repeated reference is made to evaluations of total 

 primitiveness and modification in single genera and in groups. 

 Some of the gauges of primitiveness and modification already 

 have been introduced, and at this point it is desirable to sum- 

 marize the criteria. No further comment on the expanse of 

 definitely formed ridges seems to be necessary, nor will the 

 characteristics of volar pads require further explanation. 

 The following additional bases of judgment remain to be out- 

 lined; (1) Conformity to the morphologic plan; (2) Grades of 

 total pattern intensity; (3) Comparisons of pattern intensity 

 in regional groups of configurational fields; (4) The propor- 

 tionate pattern intensities of palm and sole ; (5) Asymmetry in 

 pattern intensity. 



(1) The degree of adherence to the morphologic plan repre- 

 sents a fundamental measure of primitiveness, being a measure 

 of features which are phylogenetically ancient and widely 

 distributed among mammals. Conformity to the morphologic 

 plan never is absolutely complete; usually several configura- 

 tional areas are not indicated. The chief reliance in the com- 

 parisons is placed upon the following configurational fields 

 of the border series H p , H d , Th, I, II, III, and IV because 

 it is these which are most consistently present throughout the 

 primates. The criteria of conformity to the plan do not con- 

 cern the presence or absence of patterns as distinguished from 

 open fields, nor do they involve the types of patterns; such 

 variables are taken into account in the consideration of pat- 

 tern intensity. Lack of conformity to the basic plan is evi- 

 denced by the failure of boundaries between configurational 

 fields, usually clearly associated with some specifically identifi- 

 able modification of volar pads, blending of two pads into one 

 or lowering to the point of extinction of pad reliefs. Since it 



