The numerous species of smaller monkeys, as well as the great baboons, all ranking lower in the scale of approach to man, live largely on insects* and small lizards, which abound in the African and South American forests; the baboons preying on eggs and young birds. The large anthropoids, just referred to, also eat eggs and birds as well as small mammals, whenever they can get them, in addition to the fruits and nuts which form the great staple of their diet. Their mode of life, largely spent on the branches and higher parts of lofty trees, affords them great facilities for obtaining such food. Few people are aware that the large chimpanzee, so popular and well known as "Sally," in the Zoological Gardens, was not infrequently supplied with animal food, which she evidently consumed with great satisfaction. It has been observed also that the gorillas and chimpanzees in the Zoological Gardens at Berlin have a marked preference for animal food, of which they enjoy a small proportion. As above noticed, their organization indicates that while they are certainly "mixed feeders" - that is, obtain their food from both the animal and vegetable kingdoms - they have been accustomed to consume a larger proportion of vegetable matter than is now usually adopted by man. And lastly, having regard to the evidence which inquiries into pre - historic records of man's life have revealed, as well as to our knowledge of his existence since, with what we have learned respecting the habits of savage tribes of recent date, it is impossible to doubt that his diet has long been derived from both animal and vegetable kingdoms. The chase was a favourite pursuit and supplied a certain quantity of animal food, always regarded as a welcome addition to the roots and fruits which must doubtless have largely contributed to sustain his daily life.

Berlin. Translated as vol. liii. in "International Scientific Series." London : Kegan Paul and Co., 1885. Pp. 227 - 255. * Hence the small monkeys at the Zoological Gardens have a daily supply of meal worms, to afford the necessary small but important animal contribution to their dietary.

The large anthropoids.

The chimpanzees here and at Berlin.

Too much Flesh often Eaten.

Man's early progenitors.

The use of flesh liable to abuse.

At the same time, I cannot doubt that more flesh is consumed by a large part of our existing population than is absolutely necessary or desirable. But this is mostly to be observed among those who possess ample means, and whose employments do not necessarily demand great muscular exertion, exposure in all weathers, or other causes of wear and tear to the animal tissues. Where exercise is very largely taken and manual labour is hard and prolonged, the concentrated and easily digested proteids of flesh are the most valuable food for man's purpose. Where there is but little physical labour or activity, a smaller proportion is mostly advisable; and a better state of bodily health may be generally assured by adopting an animal - food - fish, poultry, and game, for example - less rich perhaps in proteids, and especially so in fat, than are beef or mutton, together with a considerable proportion of the products of vegetable origin. The selection, however, has to be judiciously made. Theoretically, the vegetable eater, pure and simple, can doubtless find in his dietary all the principles adapted for the growth and support of the body as well as for the production of heat and energy, provided that he selects vegetable growths that contain all the essential elements named; but he should also possess that precious but somewhat rare endowment, an unimpaired and naturally strong digestion, capable of assimilating enough to support a fair average amount of activity. His life should be largely spent in the pure open air of the country, and he should select certain proportions of wheaten bread, oatmeal, and dried lentils, peas and beans, say with macaroni as a change, for the staple of his diet, chiefly to supply proteids, some carbo-hydrates and salts; moderate quantities of potato, rice, sago, fruits, and vegetables as supplementary carbo-hydrates and salts; and maize in the form of polenta, and olive oil with salads to furnish additional fats. In this way all the necessary elements are obtained and in due proportion, so that the total sum of food per diem is not too bulky, which a strict vegetarian diet is prone to become; otherwise he must swallow and digest a large weight of vegetable matter of less nutritive value, and therefore containing at least one element in large excess, in order to obtain all the elements he needs. Thus the Irishman, if confined solely to a potato diet, would require for his support from twelve to fifteen pounds daily, which contain chiefly starch - a superfluous quantity, and an overload for any stomach - in order to obtain a barely sufficient quantity of nitrogen of which this tuber contains so little, with scarcely any fat. Hence he eats less of the potatoes, and obtains when he can milk, lard, bacon, or a herring to supply the deficiency. The Highlander, living mainly on oatmeal, requires a very much smaller weight, since this grain contains not only starch, but a moderate amount of nitrogen and fat, although not sufficient for his purpose; hence it is usually supplied by adding milk, and fish or bacon also when he can obtain them.

True vegetarianism successful for some in certain conditions.

Example of carbohydrates in excess.

Many thrive on Cereals and Milk.

No doubt there is, as all observation in every department of natural history testifies, a great variety of results in comparing the individuals of any species, their wants, qualities, and endowments, etc. And no differences are greater in regard to such particulars than those which are manifested by man himself, the famous dictum notwithstanding, which declares his "equality" with his fellows, whatever that may be taken to signify. And thus it may be admitted that some persons are stronger and more healthy who live very largely on vegetables, while there are many others for whom a proportion of animal food appears not merely to be desirable but absolutely necessary. On the other hand, the man who lives on a well - chosen mixed diet containing about the due proportion of pro - teids, fats, carbo-hydrates, and mineral constituents to support the daily requirements of an average activity, without stint on the one hand, or over supply on the other, will require a total of only two or three pounds of solid food as a perfect equivalent* In studying this matter, individual habit must be taken into account. Again, an animal feeder may by slow degrees accustom himself to a diet chiefly vegetable, without loss of weight or strength, not without feeling some inconvenience in the process; but a sudden change in diet in this direction is for a time almost equivalent to starvation. The digestive organs require a considerable period to accommodate themselves to the performance of work different from that to which they have been long accustomed; while many persons, although able to diminish considerably the proportion of animal food, cannot relinquish it altogether without manifest injury to health.

After all, there is great variety in the wants and tastes of individuals.

Moreover, in matters of diet essentially, many persons have individual peculiarities; and while certain fixed principles exist, such as those already laid down as absolutely cardinal, in the detail of their application to each man's wants, an infinity of stomach - eccentricities will be encountered if the sphere of observation is considerable. The old proverb expresses the fact strongly but truly: "What is one man's meat is another man's poison." Yet nothing is more common - and one rarely leaves a social dinner table without observing it - than to hear some good - natured person recommending to his neighbour, with a confidence rarely found except in alliance with profound ignorance of the matter in hand, some special form of food, or drink, or system of diet, solely because the adviser happens to have found it useful to himself. More rationally might the adviser recommend the universal use of a hat moulded to the form of his own head, or of a boot made on the last contrived for his own tender foot! For the differences between the parts just named in different individuals are far less, and are also much more easily estimated than the differences to be met with in their digestive organs, and in the capabilities with which these organs are endowed.

The perfect diet is an adequate supply of each element in due proportion.