136 ox CARPAL VIBRISS-E IX MAMMALS. [Feb. 18, 



It may be convenient to sum up the facts which have been 

 detailed in this communication, anci to present them in the form 

 of a brief resume : — 



(1) In nearly all the Orders of Mammalia — viz., the Primates, 



Carnivora, Ungulata, Rodentia, Edentata, and Marsupi- 

 alia — there is generally a tuft of strong vibrissa; upon the 



wrist. 



(2) This tuft consists of from one to about twenty hairs usually 



(if not always) supplied by a strong nerve which arises 

 from the radial nerve of the arm. 



(3) This structure is as a rule, when present, found in both 



sexes ; but occasionally it is present in the male only. 



(4) The tuft of carpal vibrissas is apparently absent from all the 



Ungulates, except Hyrax ; and from the Anthropoidea 

 among the Primates. 



(5) In the groups where the carpal organ is present, it is apt 



to be capricious in its distribution. Thus it is present in 

 the Lion, and absent in the Tiger. 



(6) With the marked exception of the Anthropoidea, there 



seems to be a certain relation between the presence of 

 the tuft of carpal vibrissa3 and the nature of the fore 

 limbs. "When the fore limbs are purely ambulatory limbs, 

 the cai'2:)al vibrissas are absent. 



