370 
ME. ST. G-EOEGrE MIYAET ON THE SKELETON OE THE PEIMATES. 
observed the spider-monkeys successfully employ their long prehensile tails to obtain an 
object otherwise out of their reach. He has also noticed that the flying fox, Pteropus 
(to the pes of which no one has applied, as far as I am aware, the term “ hand ”), will 
hold its food in, and eat from, its pelvic extremity. 
As to the constant elevation of the heel above the ground spoken of by Dr. Lucae, 
it has been already observed that, at least in the higher forms (Simiinse), this is not 
the case, especially, perhaps, in the Gibbons, where, in terrestrial progression, the 
pectoral extremities are raised entirely from the ground. 
Thus, physiologically as well as anatomically, the same term may certainly be applied 
to the pelvic extremities of both Man and Apes. 
Some, however, while denying that the term “ hand ” is applicable to the pes of 
Apes, go yet further and refuse to apply it even to the manus of those animals. 
Burdach observes * that the term “ hand ” applies truly neither to the anterior nor 
to the posterior extremity of Apes ; and just as the word “ foot ” may be so defined as to 
apply exclusively to the pes of Man, so, no doubt, it might be possible to frame such a 
definition of the word “ hand ” as that it should be applicable only to the human 
manus. 
Every one knows that the hand of Man possesses a perfection of structure such as 
exists in the extremity of no other animal ; but this perfection consists in a number 
of minute points and delicate distinctions ; and in descending the order Primates we 
are led by small steps from this highly finished structure to the comparatively imper- 
fect manus of Ateles or Hapale. Indeed the difference is small, both anatomically and 
physiologically, between Man and the highest Apes, as compared with that existing 
between the latter and lower forms ; and it is with perfect justice that Professor 
Huxley remarks f, in speaking of the manus of the Marmoset, “ There can be no doubt 
but that the hand is more different from that of the Gorilla than the Gorilla’s hand is 
from Man’s.” If, therefore, the same term is to be applied to the manus of all Apes and 
Lemuroids, it is difficult to see how the hand of Man can reasonably be excluded. 
Thus, then, anatomically the pes of Apes agrees in a far greater number of points 
with the foot of Man than with his hand, and similarly the Simian manus resembles his 
hand and differs from his foot. At the same time there is a similar physiological 
resemblance, as the manus throughout remains the prehensile organ, while the pre- 
dominant function of the pes is constantly locomotion. Although, therefore, to avoid 
ambiguity, it would be well in scientific treatises to avoid entirely these disputed 
designations, and to employ instead well-defined and unmistakeable homological terms, 
such as “ pes ” and “ manus ; ” yet, if the former are used, the conclusion ap- 
pears to me irresistible, that of Apes and Lemuroids (as well as of Man) it must be 
said that each and all they are severally provided with “two hands and a pair of 
feet.” 
* Beitrage zur vergleichenden Anatomie der Affen, last page, 
f Man’s Place in Nature, p. 93. 
