DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PAPILLARY RIDGES G5 



(6) Palmar surface. 



Three very low interdigital eminences, only seen in rather 



muscular subjects. 

 One thenar eminence, smooth and oval in shape. 

 One hypothenar eminence, smooth and little raised above 

 palmar surface. 

 P.R. at bases of D. 3, 4, 5, small groups of arches open in distal 

 direction ; between these P.R. longitudinal. 

 „ at cleft between D. 3 and 4, groups of loops opening in distal 



direction. 

 „ on remaining areas of palmar surface, P.R. longitudinal, 

 oblique and transverse, taking these directions according 

 to the contour of the palm. 

 ,, on thenar eminence wide arches open towards D. 1 are found. 

 Foot. (Fig. 51.) Marked simplicity of patterns of ridges on plantar sur- 

 face, complex on terminal phalanges, simple on remaining 



(a) Digits. 



P.R. terminal phalanges arranged in rows concentric with the free 

 edges of the nails on all five digits. 

 „ pulps occupied on D. 1 by whorl with lateral opening to fibular 

 side ; D. 2, 3, 4, loops open to fibular side ; D. 5, low arches 

 open in proximal direction. 

 „ middle and proximal phalanges, transverse, 

 (6) Plantar surface. 



P.R. at base of D. 1, obhque ; at base of D. 2, 3, low arches open 

 in distal direction ; at base of D. 4, longitudinal ; at base 

 of D. 5, oblique. 

 „ on ball of D. 1, steep arches surrounded by wide curving rows, 



open towards base of D. L 

 „ remaining portion of plantar surface transverse, vnth. slight 

 obliquity at base of D. 5 and in centre of sole. 



The foregoing results may be summed up as follows, and 

 it may be first stated that the series of hands and feet have 

 been placed in their zoological positions, and not according 

 to the increasing complexity of the patterns in which the ridges 

 are found ; the latter, do not, therefore, show a uniform in- 

 crease of development. 



The Opossum here described shows a high degree of develop- 

 ment of the papillary ridges, well-marked ellipses on the digits 

 and whorls, on the palmar and plantar pads. This fact is 

 associated with a very high degree of intelhgence and activity 

 of habit of the animal in question. 



E 



