Handbook to the Primates/Geographical Distribution

By means of the accompanying tables and maps I have attempted to present in a concise and clear manner the distribution of the Lemuroidea and the Anthropoidea in time and in space.

For the distribution of existing forms I have followed the divisions of the Globe proposed by Dr. Bowdler Sharpe in his essay on the Zoo-Geographical Areas of the World, published in "Natural Science" (Vol. III., pp. 100-108).

It will be apparent from the above tables that, while the living Lemuroidea are confined to the Eastern Hemisphere, in past times some genera were not only common to both Hemispheres, but the Order was equally well, if not indeed better, represented in the New, than in the Old, World. Among the Anthropoidea, on the other hand, then, as now, none of the genera were common to both Hemispheres; and a large number of the genera, which then existed, were identical with genera now living, to a greater extent than among the Lemuroidea.