_Adapis_, Cuvier, Ossem. Foss. (2) iii., p. 265 (1822); Flower, Ann. and
Mag. N. H., xvii., (1876), p. 323.
_Palæolemur_, Delfort., Act. de la Soc. Linn. Bord., xxix., pp. 87-95,
pl. 5 (1873); id. C. R., lxxvii., p. 64 (1873).
_Aphelotherium_, Gervais, Zool. et Pal. Franç. (1), ii., Exp. 34
(1848-52).
_Cænopithecus_, Rütim, Denksch. Schw. Ges. Nat., xix., p. 88 (1862).
_Notharctus_, Leidy, Geol. Surv. Mont., p. 364 (1871).
_? Thinolestes_, Marsh, Am. Jour. Sci., 1872 (2), p. 205.
_? Telmalestes_, Marsh, _op. cit._, p. 206.
"The general form of the cranium," to quote Sir W. Flower, "the large size
and anterior direction of the orbits, the small and narrow muzzle ... show
its affinity to the Lemurine animals, and especially to the African forms.
The whole skull, however, is more depressed than in the slow Lemurs and
Galagos; the orbits are smaller, the brain cavity relatively smaller and
more constricted behind the orbits, and the muscular ridges more
developed."... The lower jaw is deep and stout. The posterior upper
pre-molar is very similar to a true molar. "The upper molar teeth are
nearly equal in size, and have nearly square crowns, with four distinct
cusps, one at each angle, rather obliquely placed"; the hind inner cusp
{120}of the posterior molar inconspicuous. The lower molars have two pairs
of obliquely placed cusps, connected by transverse ridges, anterior and
posterior, with an oblique ridge running forwards and inwards from the
outer hind cusp. The hindmost lower pre-molar has an internal cusp; the
lower incisors have upright spatulate crowns like those of true Apes.
Several species of this genus have been described. ADAPIS PARISIENSIS (with
the synonyms of _Aphelotherium duvernoyi_, Gervais, and _Palæolemur
betillei_, Delfortrie) is one of the best known, and its remains have been
found in Upper Eocene strata at Egerkingen, in Switzerland, at Sainte
Néboule de Béduer, and in the Paris Gypsum, in France, as well as in
England. It "more nearly resembles the Indo-African Lemurs, and not those
of the island of Madagascar, or of the extreme east, having no near
relationship with the Tarsius, the Aye-Aye, or the Indris, and not much
with the true Lemurs." (_Flower._) From the Eocene of Switzerland comes A.
LEMUROIDES. ADAPIS MAGNA (Filhol) is larger than the preceding species, has
a larger face, and a greater constriction between the cerebral and facial
regions of the skull. It has been found in the phosphatic deposits at
Raynal, in France. ADAPIS ANGUSTIDENS (Filhol), from the Quercy Phosphates
of France, is distinguished by the structure of its molars, and by the
great size of its two anterior pre-molars. A. TENEBROSUS (Leidy) has a
large lower canine. A. MINOR (Filhol) is an additional species.