662 SCIENCE PROGRESS 



of Primates which are referred to three new genera, viz. Mosripi- 

 thecus, Parapithecus^ and Propliopithecus. The last, as represented 

 by P. haeckeli, is a small ape intermediate in size between 

 the species of the American genera Chysothrix and Cebus, with 

 the normal simian lower dental formula ; the canine and pre- 

 molars being vertical, and the two branches of the lower jaw 

 running nearly parallel, and forming a firm symphysis. This 

 genus is regarded by its describer as the ancestor, not only of 

 the Simiidce, but probably also of the Hominidce. Parapithecus 

 fraasi is a small species of the size of a squirrel-monkey, with 

 the lower dental formula /. i, c. i, p. 3, rn. 3, regarded as connect- 

 ing the Eocene Anaptornorphidce with the modern Simiidce, and 

 perhaps also with the Cercopithecidce. Mceripithecus markgrafi is 

 too imperfectly known to admit of its systematic position being 

 determined, but appears to have been about the size of a spider- 

 monkey. Dr. Schlosser also describes a number of new types 

 of hyracoids, among which Bunohyrax is based on some of the 

 species included by Dr. C. W. Andrews in Geniohyus, both genera 

 being regarded as bunodont hyracoids. The fauna is likewise 

 shown to include representatives of the Chiroptera and Insecti- 

 vora. To the former belongs the humerus of a large vampire-like 

 bat described under the name of Vampyravus, while a lower jaw 

 referred to under the new generic title of Metoldobotes pertains 

 to the latter. Of minor interest are remains of certain creodont 

 Carnivora. 



The author's views as to the affinity of some of these Fayum 

 fossils have not been allowed to pass without challenge, for in 

 the American Naturalist, vol. xliv, pp. 700-703, Dr. W. D. 

 Matthew states, in reference to the remains of Primates, that 

 the material is insufficient to permit of determining whether the 

 specimens are really referable to the Anthropoidea, still less for 

 the statement that Propliopithecus is the ancestor of the Simiidce 

 and probably also the Hominidce. " If the author had stated," 

 observes Dr. Matthew, "that the Oligocene ancestor of man 

 probably had lower teeth like those of Propliopithecus, the 

 conclusion might well be accepted. But the corollary of 

 Schlosser's statement is that we have found the Oligocene 

 ancestor of man, and that he lived in Africa. The evidence is 

 not adequate to warrant any such conclusions." 



It was pointed out by Dr. Schlosser that the Fayum 

 hyracoids differ markedly from their modern representatives in 



