4o8 



THE INTERMEDIATE PRIMATES 



One young is produced at a time and the mother carries it under her 

 body, the young one chnging to her fur with hands and feet. This appendage 

 to the mother does not seem in the slightest to embari-ass her progress as she 



Courtesy, Ameriian Museum oj Natural History 



FIGS. 189 AND 190. HAND AND FOOT OF HYLOBATES SYNDACTYLUS. 



Left. Palmar surface of hand, showing the extremely long fingers developed in consequence of brachiation. 



The swinging type of locomotion of the gibbon has produced this specialization in the hand. Fingers 



show some syndactylism. 

 Right. Plantar surface of the foot showing short heel, long, powerful great toe, marked syndactylism ol second 



and third toes. The foot is adapted to prehensile purposes involved in the brachiating locomotion. 



makes her way through the forest, executing her great swings from tree to 

 tree which are just as prodigious in their length as those made by the unen- 

 cumbered male. 



The gibbon is a delicate animal and rarely survives long in captivity. 

 By disposition it is gentle, often affectionate. It is not averse to handling 

 by strangers and will come close to the sides of its cage with arms extended 

 through the bars so that its hands may be grasped and stroked. The gibbons 



