140 
SYSTEM OF NATURE. 
No. 2. 
Page 11, line 32. — “ Sowewhat corresponding to the Primates of 
Linneus” 
We are sadly in want of a more definite nomenclature: the group 
which throughout I have termed Primates, differs from the Primates of 
Linneus in excluding the elephants and hats: it also differs from the 
Quadrumana of Cuvier in including the sloths and man. Seeing that 
the group as now composed has not received a name, I would propose 
calling its contents manupedine animals, in allusion to what appears a 
well-marked character, namely, great power of climbing or grasping con¬ 
sequent on the transmutation of one or both pairs of locomotive organs 
into what may he properly termed hands. The other divisions of pla- 
centals would he more aptly termed ferine, cetine, glirine &c., than dis¬ 
tinguished as at present by simple plurals; for instance, the term Glires 
merely implies that there are more dormice than one, hut if we say gli¬ 
rine animals, we rather imply animals of the dormouse tribe. The Lin- 
nean terms thus slightly modified might still be retained. The Greek 
compound, Cheiroptera of Cuvier, used to designate the only group not 
acknowledged by Linneus, might be exchanged for Vespertilionina, a 
word very aptly expressive although somewhat too long. The tribes of 
placentals would then stand thus:—Manupedina, Glirina, Vespertilio¬ 
nina, Ferina, Cetina, Belluina, Brutina. I merely suggest these remarks 
for consideration. 
r x 
No. 3. 
Page 15, line 17 .— u I should rather fancy him a sloth in all his 
characters .” 
“ It would border on the ridiculous,” says Professor Owen,* “ to ad¬ 
vocate the claims of the Mylodon to the Quadrumanous order, because 
* Description &c. of Mylodon, p. 1(54, 
