MAN AND APES. 187 



tions, due simply to similarity as to the exi- 

 gencies of life to which they are respectively 

 exjDOsecl. 



Fossil remains, as yet unknown, may bridge 

 over the gulf at present existing between 

 these families. It would be a bold thing to 

 positively affirm that such will not be dis- 

 covered, when we reflect how very few are the 

 extinct animals known to us compared with 

 the vast multitudes which have existed, how 

 very rarely animal remains are fossilised, and 

 how very rarely again such fossils are both 

 accessible and actually found. Nevertheless, 

 the author believes that it is far more likely 

 that tropical geological explorations may re- 

 veal to us latisternal apes more human than 

 any now existing, rather than that they will 

 bring to our knowledge forms directly connect- 

 ing the Simiadce and Cebidce. 



To return from Ihis subordinate question, it 

 may be asked, u What is the bearing of all 

 the foregoing facts on the origin and affinities 

 of man ? " 



