CHAP. Ill] THE MAMMALIAN ORDER PRIMATES 61 



This table shews a majority of points of agreement as between Galeo- 

 pithecus volans and the typical Primate mammal. Evidently there is a 

 certain degree of affinity between the two forms. But the characters in which 

 they are contrasted are not a small minority, and although by extending the 

 list other features of similarity may be added, the points of contrast become 

 more numerous and striking. Above all, perhaps, the possession of a patagium 

 suggests forcibly some approach to the Cheiroptera. Yet when the comparison is 

 instituted with these (the Bats) in details, Galeopithecus appears as an aberrant 

 representative of the Order Cheiroptera, just as it has figured as an anomalous 

 member of the Primates. The discovery of yet other characters in turn 

 suggestive of the Insectivora (Menotyphla) complicates the matter further. 

 Yet if a classification must be made, it is necessary to draw lines somewhere 

 or other. In this instance, some systematists have solved the problem by 

 instituting an independent Order (Dermoptera) for Galeopithecus volans, 

 which is compensated thus for the loss of its claim to the title of " Flying 

 Lemur." 



If it is difficult to prescribe the exact number of characters to be employed 

 in such tests, the question as to their precedence is equally hard to solve. 

 At present no general consensus of opinion seems to exist as to the order of 

 importance in which such characters as those used in the foregoing table 

 (p. 60) are to be arranged. It is submitted, however, that the list contains 

 none but characters of the most valuable kind, no matter how their 

 sequence may be adjusted. And if the teeth and skeleton appear too 

 highly placed, let it be remembered that of fossil animals such parts alone 

 remain in many instances. Moreover the cranium even in fossil forms is 

 often capable of providing information as to the cerebrum itself, if endo- 

 cranial casts can be prepared. As for the central nervous system in general 

 and the brain in particular, their high value in these researches is so 

 widely recognized now, that the mere mention of them will suffice in this 

 connection 1 . 



We have thus given a general idea of the position of the 

 Hominidae within the Order Primates. In order to strengthen 

 the argument for assigning to Man this position, a more detailed 

 exposition of the anatomical characters of the Primates seems 

 advisable. For this reason we have selected as examples of the 

 Order (a) one of the Lemurs, (b) Tarsius spectrum, (c) one of 

 the Cercopithecidae, and (d) one of the Simiidae. The anatomy 

 of each of these will be briefly reviewed (Chapter iv), and 



1 For an admirable chapter on the choice of criteria and their relative value in 

 evidence, cf. Gregory, " The Orders of Mammals," Bulletin of the American Museum 

 of Natural History, 1910. Part n. Introduction. 



