342 VERTEBRATE ANIMALS. 
ORDER XIII. QUADRUMANA.—The thirteenth order of Mam- 
mals is that of the Quadrumana, comprising the Apes, Mon- 
keys, Baboons, and Lemurs. The characteristic of this order 
is that the innermost toe (great toe) of the hind-limbs can 
be offosed to the other toes, so that the hind-feet become pre- 
hensile hands. The term “opposed” simply implies that the 
toe can be so adjusted as regards the extremities of the other 
toes, that any object can be grasped between them, just as 
the thumb of the human hand can be “ opposed” to any of the 
fingers. The fore-feet may be destitute of a thumb, but when 
this is present, it too is generally opposable to the other digits, so 
that the animal becomes truly four-handed or “ quadrumanous.” 
The Quadrumana are divided into three very natural sections, 
separated from one another both by their anatomical characters 
and their geographical distribution. 
Section A, Strepsirhina.—Characterised by having the nos- 
trils twisted or curved, and placed at the end of the nose, whilst 
the second toe of the hind-feet is furnished with a claw. The 
OQuadrumana of this section are chiefly referable to Madagascar 
as their geographical centre, but they spread from Madagascar 
westwards into Africa, and eastwards to the Indian Archipelago. 
In this family are the Aye-Aye (Chezromys), the Loris (Vycti- 
cebide), and the Lemurs (Lemuvida). 
The Aye-Aye is confined to Madagascar, and is not unlike 
a large squirrel in appearance, having along bushy tail. The 
incisors grow from permanent pulps, like those of Rodents, and 
there are no canines. The Loris and Slow Lemurs have either 
no tail or a rudimentary one, and they are confined to Southern 
Asia, and the great islands of the Indian Archipelago. The 
true Lemurs are natives of Madagascar, and are often spoken 
of as “ Madagascar cats.” They have a soft, woolly fur, and a 
Jong tail, which is prehensile. The second toe of the hind-foot 
has a long and pointed claw. 
Section L. Platyrhina.—This section includes those monkeys 
in which the nostrils are simple, and are placed far apart ; the 
thumbs of the fore-feet are wanting, or, if present, are not oppos- 
able; and the tail is generally prehensile. The Platyrhine 
Monkeys are exclusively confined to South America, occurring 
especially in Brazil, and they are all adapted for a more or less 
purely arboreal life. The best-known members of this section 
are the Marmosets (Yafal/ide), and the great family of the Ce- 
