256 THE HISTORY OF CREATION, 
merely because they differ from all Apes, much more than 
do the most different Apes from one another, but also because 
they comprise most interesting transitional forms leading 
to the other orders of Deciduata. I conclude from this that 
the few still living Semi-apes, which moreover differ very 
much among one another, are the last surviving remnants 
of a primary group now almost’ extinct, but which was 
at one time rich in forms, and out of which all the other 
Deciduata (possibly with the single exception of Beasts of 
Prey, and Pseudo-hoofed animals) have developed as diverg- 
ing branches. The old primary group of Semi-apes has 
probably developed out of Handed or Ape-footed Marsupials 
(Pedimana), which are surprisingly like them in the trans- 
formation of their hinder feet into grasping hands. The 
primeval primary forms themselves (which probably origi- 
nated in the eocene period) are of course long since extinct, 
as are also the greater portion of the transition-forms between 
then and all the other orders of Deciduata. However, 
individual remnants of the latter are preserved among the 
Semi-apes of the present day. Among these, the remarkable 
Finger-animal of Madagascar (Chiromys madagascariensis) 
constitutes the remnant of the group of the Leptodac- 
tyla and the transition to Rodents. The strange flying 
lemur in the South Sea and Sunda islands (Galeopithecus), 
the only remnant of the group of Pteropleura, forms a 
perfect intermediate stage between Semi-apes and Bats. 
The long-footed Semi-apes (Tarsius, Otolicnus) constitute 
the last remnant of that primary branch (Macrotarsi) out of 
which the Insectivora developed. The short-footed forms 
(Brachytarsi) are the medium of connection between them 
and genuine Apes. The Short-footed Semi-apes comprise 
