INTRODUCTION. 3 
The Lemurs have, by many distinguished naturalists, been 
relegated to a distinct Order quite separate from the latter ; 
but by such pre-eminent authorities as Linnzeus, Lesson, Hux- 
ley, Broca and Flower, they have been assigned a subordinate 
‘position within that great Order, on which has been conferred 
the rank of the Primates of the Animal Kingdom. 
The Order PrRimATES, therefore, comprises two very homo- 
geneous sub-orders—(1) The Lemur-like animals (LEMUROIDEA) 
including the Aye-Aye, the Tarsier, and the True Lemurs ; and ° 
(2) the, Man-like animals (the ANTHROPOIDEA), which embrace 
the Marmosets, the Baboons, the great Apes, and Man. 
In common with all other Mammals, the Primates are fur- 
nished with an epidermal covering, which, except in Man, con- 
sists of a woolly or hairy fur. They possess four limbs and a 
tail, which may be long, short, or concealed, and which is often 
used as a prehensile organ. The young are born ina condition of 
greater or less helplessness, with their eyes, as a rule, unopened, 
and the framework of their bodies incompletely ossified, and 
consequently requiring protective care and entire nourishment 
from the mother, for a considerable period. At maturity 
this skeleton consists of a skull, a breast- and a back-bone of 
many pieces, ribs, jointed limbs, anda pair of collar-bones. 
As a knowledge of many of these bones and some of the more 
prominent organs of the body are necessary for an accurate 
Comprehension of the description and classification of the 
animals discussed in this volume, a few of the more important 
must be briefly referred to. 
The cranium, formed of many bones firmly united together, 
consists of a cerebral region, or box, containing and guarding the 
brain, and a facial region, in whichare situated, besides the mouth, 
the organs of sight and smell. The bones connected with the 
Be 
