[B88]

(1

March. 18 /68/

Proc. Zoolog. Soc. 1865. p 545 Mivart

With diagram of monkeys classed by backbone.

See to this paper

It is clear that the primates form a tree with two main branches at the ground one being the Lemuridæ the other the Quadrumana. The quad branch again divides into the old world & new world monkeys; the latter consisting of two very distinct groups. The old & new world monkeys tho differing in Some important characters have so much in common, including even mental attributes, that they must be descended from a progenitor, which tho perhaps widely distinct from any existing form, would almost certainly

[B89]

(2

be classed as a monkey.

Hence all the old world monkeys however subdivided are descended from a form which must be ranked as a monkey. The old world monkeys consist of the anthropomorphous & various other genera. I suppose may be divided into two groups, I retain anthropomorphous because Huxley & Mivart one including Macacus Which pass into baboons, Cercopithecus and Semnopithecus which however differs greatly in its Stomach. The other group of old world monkeys consists of Orang, gibbons gorilla and man. Though the orang undoubtedly differs much from the gorilla

[B90]

(3

& man notoriously differs immensely differs from all the others, yet Mr. Mivart thinks that these forms are more nearly allied to each other than to any other monkeys. Perhaps I had better leave doubtful the grouping of the other old world monkeys, they may have branched off from a progenitor of the Gibbons & have retained a primitive lower grade of organisation. It is enough for my purpose that both old and new world forms are descended from a creature which would be called a monkey.

[B90v]

4)

I must insert somewhere alluding to Mivart that the Great distinction of man's Skeleton depends on his erect position; therefore is an adaptive character, which in analog cases is not very highly Valued.

N.B. The 2 S. American groups very distinct - speak of 2 or 3 branches. - 1 old World & 2 New world. Mr Mivart says he considers, as probable, that Homo comes under his Simiinæ, & therefore part of branch, which bifurcates above Cynopithecidæ & Semmopithecus