THE TEETH OF THE HIGHER APES AND MAN 197 



of growth due to disuse, as evidenced by the de- 

 graded third molar, which is often stunted in 

 form and frequently absent entirely. The upper 

 lateral incisor also is occasionally stunted and 

 sometimes absent, and seems to be following the 

 path of those teeth of man which have passed into 

 oblivion, only to be recalled by their occasional 

 reappearance as supernumeraries. 



In regard to the racial differences of the teeth, 

 it is well known that the lower races approach the 

 Simian type and mark the transition to the human 

 form. They belong to what are called the Mac- 

 rodont, or large-toothed races. The most prom- 

 inent of the latter are the Australians, who are 

 the lowest of living races and most ape-like. 

 Their teeth are large, white, and well formed. 

 The molars do not decrease in size from front to 

 back, but tend to increase or are of nearly the 

 same size. The second lower molar has the fifth 

 cusp, just like the Apes. The canines are large 

 and conical. Supernumerary teeth — especially 

 fourth molars — are not uncommon. The jaws 

 are massive, with a monkey-like squareness in 

 front, and are very prognathous. In the New 

 Caledonians and some other Australoid people 

 the central incisors are so large and insectivorous- 

 like as to show their form through the lips. 



The Negroid races have teeth that are large, 

 thick, dark-colored, coarse, and ape-like, and pro- 



