382 Contributions to the 



tions, of which the internal is long and fleshy, and inserted 

 into the base of the second phalanx as in the right foot, 

 and as in Vrolik's specimen ; while the external is small, 

 and attached to the base of the fifth metatarsal. Neither 

 Traill nor Tyson mention this peculiarity. 



Perhaps I can add nothing to what has been said by 

 others, of the great contrast in function, and thence in 

 structure, between the extremities of man and the ape. 

 In the latter the hand is chiefly an organ of suspension, 

 composed of four strong, flexible hooks, which, even when 

 the member is employed as a hand, are flexed all together, 

 the short, feeble thumb, so nearly in the same plane with 

 them, not being opposable to the individual fingers. The 

 foot is the organ of prehension, being broad, the great toe 

 standing out as an efficient thumb, with large and dis- 

 tinct muscles ; and even when used simply for supporting 

 the body on a branch, the whole foot forms a flexible tri- 

 pod far more serviceable than the stiff" narrow foot of man. 



WORKS EMPLOYED FOR COMPARISON. 



1. Duvernoy, Prof. Des Caractdres Anatomiques des 

 Grands Singes Pseudo-Anthropomorphes. Deuxieme Me- 

 moire. Archives du Museum. Tome VIII. In Lib. of 

 Harv. Univ. (A very complete anatomy of the Gorilla.) 



2. Edes, Robert T. Dissection of a female baboon. 

 (Papio Maimon.) MS. notes. 



3. Moore, Joseph. Dissection of the right side of the 

 Chimpanzee, of which the left side was dissected by Burt 

 G. Wilder. MS. notes. 



4. Owen, Prof. R. Myology of Simla Satyrus. Pro- 

 ceedings of Zoiilogical Society of London. Jan. 25th and 

 May 10th, 1831. Lib. Harv. Univ. 



5. Traill, Dr. T. S. Observations on the Anatomy of 

 the Orang-outang, (Chimpanzee.) Memoirs of the Wer- 

 nerian Nat. Hist. Society. Vol. 3, Feb. 7th, 1818. Lib. 

 of B. S. N. H. 



