| II. |
No tail; stature sometimes erect, sometimes not; hallux opposable; arm longer than leg; an interval between upper canines and incisors; canines in adults longer than incisors
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
|
Simiidæ. |
| III. |
A tail almost always present; stature never erect ; hallux opposable; arm not longer than leg; an interval between upper canines and incisors; canines in adults longer than incisors
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
|
Cercopithecidæ. |
| B. |
Premolars 33, molars 22 or 33; thumb not opposable; hallux always opposable; internasal septum broad. (Platyrrhini, all American.)
|
| IV. |
M. 33; tail in many cases prehensile
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
|
Cebidæ. |
| V. |
M. 22; tail not prehensile
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
|
Hapalidæ. |
The family Hominidæ comprises but one genus, and, according to the views usually accepted, but one species, Man. Naturalists have differed as to the physical relations of Man to other animals, but most modern writers have returned to the views of Linnæus, and class Man with the Monkeys, but in a distinct family[1]. No attempt will be made in the present work to enter into the anthropology of India; the subject requires a volume to itself.
The Cebidæ and Hapalidæ are confined to America. Representatives of the Simiidæ and Cercopithecidæ are found within the Indian area.
Family SIMIIDÆ.
The Simiidæ, or anthropoid Apes, comprise the Gorilla, Chimpanzee, Orang-outang, and Gibbons. The first two are peculiar to Africa, the Orang-outang inhabits Sumatra and Borneo, whilst the Gibbons, forming the genus Hylobates, are found throughout South-eastern Asia and some of the neighbouring islands, but not west of the Bay of Bengal. They are tbe only members of the family occurring within our area.
In Pliocene times, however, it is probable that two large anthropoid Apes inhabited Northern India. One of these, Troglodytes sivalensis, was allied to the Chimpanzee, whilst a canine tooth indicates a form very closely approaching the Orang-outang. Remains of both have been found in the Siwalik beds of the Punjab.
- ↑ On this subject the following works maybe consulted:—Darwin, 'The Descent of Man;' Huxley, 'Man's Place in Nature;' Mivart, under the article "Ape," and Flower, under "Mammalia," in the 'Encyclopædia Britannica,' 9th edit.
