DERMATOGLYPHICS IN PRIMATES 191 



The pattern intensities of grouped configurational fields 

 also are compared. The combined intensities of the fields on 

 either side of the anatomical axis (thus excluding interdigital 

 III) are compared in the same member, as are corresponding 

 and opposed groups in anterior and posterior members. As 

 a result of all these comparisons showing equality and un- 

 likenesses of group intensities, it appears that Old World 

 monkeys, some New World monkeys, gorilla and chimpanzee 

 are more generalized; the spider monkey, gibbon, orang, and 

 man show the extremes of non-agreement between palm and 

 sole. 



The component fields of the two groups considered above 

 are regrouped to form transversely divided sets : distal, inter- 

 mediate and proximal. The apparently basic seriation is in 

 the form of a disto-proximal gradient in which the groups in 

 the order named present successively lowered intensities. The 

 Old World monkeys and some New World forms typify the 

 gradient. Gibbon, great apes and man exhibit disorganiza- 

 tions of this gradient, varying in kind and degree among the 

 genera. 



7. Determinations of pattern intensity are assembled also 

 for comparisons of bilateral asymmetry. 



Considering first the asymmetries of individual configura- 

 tional fields, it is to be noted that in man the right palm 

 shows higher intensities in the proximal hypothenar field and 

 second and third interdigitals, while the remaining fields 

 (thenar, and first and fourth interdigitals) have higher in- 

 tensities in the left palm. In New World monkeys the topogra- 

 phy of fields presenting higher intensities nearly duplicates 

 that in man, with Old World monkeys, great apes and gibbon 

 forming a series of progressive departures from conditions in 

 the human palm. Only in Old World monkeys is there a close 

 parallelism between palm and sole in the disposition of fields 

 showing dextral and sinistral ascendency in pattern intensity. 

 New World monkeys, gibbon, the great apes and man exhibit 

 greater unlikeness of palm and sole, New World monkeys 



