168 CHARLES MIDLO AND HAROLD CUMMIXS 



may be taken as a working principle that the lesser grades of 

 asymmetry are primitive, this position being strengthened by 

 the usual coincidence of diminished asymmetry with other 

 dermatoglyphic indications of primitiveness. 



AFFINITIES AMONG THE PRIMATES 



PREMISES 



One of the chief objectives of this study was to test the 

 usefulness of dermatoglyphics as indicators of affinities among 

 the primates. This question can not be opened without first 

 taking into consideration several matters concerning both the 

 character of the material and biological attributes of the 

 dermatoglyphics . 



When dealing with features having a high degree of indi- 

 vidual variability, in which comparisons depend largely upon 

 statistical trends, it is self-evident that sufficient numbers 

 should be available to encompass a representative mass of 

 variations. Even when the number in a single genus is rela- 

 tively large it should not be assumed that all possible variants 

 will be displayed, and when the number is small the greater 

 caution is demanded in drawing conclusions regarding the 

 dermatoglyphic characteristics of the genus. In a group such 

 as Old World monkeys, wherein a rather consistent dermatog- 

 glyphic expression is observed from genus to genus, greater 

 weight may be attached to observations on small numbers. 

 Tn contrast, genera so highly variable as Gorilla or Pan call 

 for a larger number of observations to warrant generalization. 



The material representing a genus is variably composed 

 of one species alone or of two or more species. No attempt 

 has been made to compare species within a genus. It is pos- 

 sible, even probable, that species differences exist, though 

 such differences would seem to be of little consequence in 

 forms below the apes and man, owing to the greater stability 

 of their pads. In higher primates the pads, and hence the 

 dermatoglyphics, are more variable individually and the pos- 

 sibilities of specific differences (e.g., between Gorilla gorilla 



