Aims to clarify the state of knowledge regarding the main lines of human evolution by expressing what is known about them in taxonomic language. This volume reviews the meaning of taxonomic statements as such, and then considers the substance of our knowledge regarding the number and characteristics of species among living and extinct primates.

Ample illustrations, bibliographies and an index enhance the permanent reference value of the book, which will undoubtedly prove to be among the fundamental paleoanthropological works of our time.