A Hand-book to the Primates, Volume 2 (of 2)

This volume offers a meticulous survey of the world’s monkeys, presenting their classification, physical traits, and the puzzle of where each species truly lives. The author, a seasoned museum director, weaves together careful observations, historical notes, and vivid illustrations, while candidly discussing the challenges of gathering specimens in an era when hunting these animals felt almost like harming a kin. Listeners will hear the blend of scientific rigor and genuine empathy that shaped early primate studies, giving a sense of the era’s curiosity and ethical dilemmas.

The handbook’s extensive index catalogues dozens of species—from the familiar rhesus and macaques to the more obscure colobus and talapoins—organized by family and sub‑family. It reveals how nineteenth‑century naturalists grappled with vague locality records and the need for clearer geographic definitions. Engaging and informative, this guide invites anyone interested in the foundations of primatology to explore the rich tapestry of monkey diversity and the history of its discovery.