Othniel Charles Marsh

“ All the remains are certainly anthropoid, and if any of them are human, the antiquity of man extends back into the Tertiary, and his affinities with the higher apes become much nearer than has hitherto been supposed. One thing is certain: the discovery of Pithecanthropus is an event of the first importance to the scientific world. ”

“ The grinding surface of the crown is concave, and much less rugose than in existing anthropoid apes.
The femur, which is from the left side, is in fair preservation, although it was somewhat injured in removing it from the surrounding rock. It belonged to a fully adult individual. In form and dimensions, it resembles so strongly a human femur that only a careful comparison would distinguish one from the other. The bone is very long, its greatest length being 455mm. ”

“ Brain cavity absolutely larger, and, in proportion to the size of the body, much more capacious than in the Simiidæ, yet less so than in the Hominidæ. Capacity of the skull about two-thirds the average of that of man. Inclination of the nuchal surface of the occiput considerably greater than in the Simiidæ. Dentition, although retrogressive, still of the simian type. Femur equal in its dimensions to that of man, and like that adapted for walking in an upright position. ”

“ The first announcement, however, has come from the East, where large anthropoid apes also survive, and where their ancestors were doubtless entombed under circumstances favorable to early discovery. The tropical regions of both Asia and Africa still offer most inviting fields to ambitious explorers. ”

“ Among the authorities thus cited may be mentioned Cunningham, Keith, Lydekker, Turner; Manouvrier, Pettit, Topinard, Verneau; Haeckel, Krause, Martin, Ten Kate, and Virchow, who have all taken part in the discussion. ”