MR. ST. GEORGE MI V ART ON THE SKELETON OF THE PRIMATES. 
395 
the bulk of the Order, but not so small as in the lower Simiidse, and much greater than 
in some of the lowest Cebidse, Lemur, and the Nycticebinae*. 
Its length, as compared with that of the arm, is nearer the lower limit of the Order, as 
it is exceeded by all except the Gorilla, sometimes Hylobates, some of the lower Simiinae, 
and Loris ; and that of Cheiromys exceeds Man’s more than his exceeds the least of the 
Order, while the difference between the last and that of Cheiromys is much exceeded by 
the difference between the proportions of Cheiromys and Tarsius' 
Its length compared with the radius much exceeds that in Loris, but is almost as 
much exceeded by that in Hapale, which is again surpassed to a much greater degree 
by that in Cheiromys. 
The number of carpal bones is very exceptional, still (as we have seen) there are but 
eight, not only in Troglodytes, but also in the widely different Indrisinse. 
The small relative size of the pisiforme distinguishes the manus of Man from almost all 
Primates, but Simia and the Nycticebina: resemble him in this. Simia and Troglodytes 
agree with Man in the absence of direct connexion between the cuneiforme and ulna. 
The trapezium has a more concave surface for the pollex than in almost any other 
Primate ; but in the Gorilla and in Simia there is sometimes almost, if not quite, as deep 
a concavity. 
The os magnum predominates over the other carpals more in Man than in other Pri- 
mates, and the unciforme has its process directed more forwards (palmad) and less towards 
the digits ; but in the latter respect Man is closely resembled by the Nycticebinse. 
The metacarpals (in a skeleton of ordinary size) are exceeded in actual length only by 
those of Simia and Troglodytes, except the fourth and fifth ones of the Siamang. 
The length of the third metacarpal, compared with that of the entire manus, is less than 
in most Simiidae, but it exceeds that of the same bone in all Primates below that family 
except Indris. 
The length of the metacarpus compared with that of the spine (as estimated by the 
same metacarpal) is very much less than in some, e. g. Hylobates ; much greater than 
in others, e.g. the Nycticebinse. 
The proximal ends of some of the metacarpals have more concave articular surfaces 
than in most genera. 
The distal articular surfaces are somewhat less developed dorsally than in other forms. 
The first metacarpal, as compared with the spine, is considerably longer than in some, 
e. g. Perodicticus, but is still more exceeded by others, e. g. LIylobates and Tarsius. 
In the proportion borne by the pollex, index, and third digits (including their meta- 
carpals) to the spine, as also in the length of the metacarpal of the index as compared 
with that of the pollex, Man holds an intermediate position in the Order. 
As regards the proportion of the pollex to the longest digit (metacarpals included), 
* I. e. as far as can be judged from the limited comparisons which have heen made for this paper. I have 
had no opportunity of examining Nycticebus ; and Perodicticus may sometimes, of course, be longer in the manus 
than in the specimens examined. 
MDCCCLXVII. 
o H 
