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 

 primaeval 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 

 them 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 

 (Braehytarsi) are the medium of connection between them 

 and genuine Apes. The Short-footed Semi-apes comprise 



