DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PAPILLARY RIDGES 19 



of the present inquiry. This method is coarser than that of 

 Dr. Galton, who reproduces the exact print from the finger- 

 tips of each person, and his line of study is intimately associated 

 with the noting of each ridge and furrow of the part. In the 

 case of the anthropoid apes impressions have been taken from 

 living specimens of Chimpanzee and Gibbon, and from one 

 of Orang and Gorilla, recently dead. In the cases of the dead, 

 as well as the Hving specimens, it has been necessary to make 

 numerous prints of each, because it is almost impossible to 

 exhibit in one print the whole of the palmar or plantar surface, 

 especially when the tips of the digits, and other portions of 

 these, have to be brought into the same picture. In taking 

 human prints it is most difficult to obtain a whole picture of 

 hand or foot on account of the blurring of the ink which occurs 

 in one part while pressure is being made in another. Considering 

 this, it is not surprising that impressions from living anthropoid 

 apes are difficult to make, many prints of each being required, 

 and that with monkeys, which are still more restless and timid, 

 it is impossible. From the numerous prints taken of each 

 specimen a composite picture has been produced, showing the 

 whole area on wliich papillary ridges are found. Among Monkeys, 

 Rodents, Insectivores and Marsupials dead specimens only have 

 been used. From the smaller of these, whose hands and feet 

 are too small to print successfully, drawings have been made 

 directly, with the help of a lens. In the greater number of 

 the monkeys many impressions have been taken of the dead 

 subject, and the drawings made from these, and verified by 

 reference to the specimens, and on each of the illustrations 

 given a note is made as to the particular method adopted in 

 each case. By thus using impressions from Uving and dead 

 specimens in all the more important cases, and by making 

 drawings from these with reference to the specimens, it has 

 been possible to avoid the suggestion of Dr. Hepburn* as to 

 the drawings of Alix that they appear to be rather " interpreta- 

 tions " than drawings. 



* Of. cit. 



