LEMUROIDEA. Ill 



roid genera (Adapts, Microchcerui, c.) " formed," as Zittel 

 remarks, " a very characteristic element of the fauna ; they 

 are connected with old Tertiary fore-runners, and combine 

 features of the existing Lemurs and true Apes." The presence 

 of these heat-loving animals in such northern latitudes un- 

 doubtedly indicates the existence there of a climate more 

 genial at that epoch than now. In the corresponding period 

 in North America remains have been less plentifully found ; 

 but for the most part the genera are representatives of those of 

 the European "beds. 



In strata of Oligocene and older Miocene age no Lemuroid 

 remains have come to light in Europe, and they are repre- 

 sented by only one or two doubtful forms in America. After 

 that date they apparently vanished from the New World and 

 from the northern portions of the Old. 



Many of these extinct Lemuroids so combine the charac- 

 ters of the Insectivora and the Ungulata (or hoofed animals), 

 with those of their own Sub-order, that it is often extremely 

 difficult, even impossible, sometimes, to determine to which 

 Order they really belong, owing to a blending of characters 

 due to their common origin. The Upper Eocene forms 

 present many affinities with the South American Capuchin 

 Monkeys (Cebidce). Dr. Forsyth Major is of opinion, how- 

 ever, that they are more highly, and not (as is generally 

 believed) less specialised than those now living, which appear 

 to have been the subject of retrogressive development. 



The species to be noticed below are some of the more im- 

 portant of those which have been ascertained to belong to the 

 present Sub-order. 



No remains assignable with certainty to the families Chiro- 

 myidcc or Tarsiidce, have as yet been discovered. The first form 



