THE NATURALIST. 



ON THE LEMURID^, OR FAMILY OF LEMURS. 



In an interesting paper by Mr. Ogilby, in the Zoological Proceedings, for March, 

 1836, our readers will find an able review of the Qiiadrumanous and Pedimanous 

 groups of Mammalia, and of the natural affinities which subsist between them. 

 The merit of fairly distinguishing between the two groups, is certainly due to 

 Mr. Ogilby ; but he is not alone in his distinction, founded upon the characters 

 presented by the heads and feet, between the Monkeys of the old and new conti- 

 nents. It is a distinction to which the writer of the present article has long since 

 alluded ; and Azara observed, that all the five fingers of many of the American 

 Monkeys originated on the same line with each other, the thumb being destitute 

 of the power of antagonizing with the rest, an observation overlooked by all 

 naturalists, or regarded as an error, till pointed out and justified by this talented 

 writer. In the conclusion of the paper referred to, Mr. 0. proposed a new order, 

 under the title Cheiropoda, in which shall be included all mammalia possessed of 

 hands, whether those hands be on the anterior or the posterior extremities, or 

 equally on both. The subjoined table is an abstract of the proposed arrange- 

 ment : — 



Class MAMMALIA. 

 Order Chetbopoda ; or Mammalia with opposite thumbs. 



1. On the anterior extremities only » Bimana. 



Example — Man . 



2. On both anterior and posterior extremities... Quadbumana. 



Sect. 1. "With anthropoid teeth. 



Monkeys of the old World. 



Sect. 2. With abnormal Teeth. 



Lemuridw (Lemur Family.) 



3. On the posterior extremities only ..Pedimaha. 



Sect. 1. With anthropoid teeth. 



Monkeys of the new World. 

 Sect. 2. With rodent teeth. ' 



Cheiromys (Aye-aye). 

 Sect. 3. With abnormal teeth. 

 Didelphidee (Opossum Family). 

 No. 7, Vol. II. b 



