ABSTRACT
So far as can be judged from the accounts of monkeys and apes discussed in the two preceding chapters, the harem forms an essential element in the social lives of wild sub-human primates. The accounts that have been considered are mainly of three kinds. There are those which definitely point to the occurrence of polygyny or of monogamy. From these it is clear that the greater number of apes and monkeys about whom there are definite data are polygynous (the few exceptions being the smaller South American monkeys which are stated to live in pairs).* Other reports do not give any direct indication of mating habits, but simply relate that although a species is found usually in small or big parties, lone males are also encountered. The latter fact is the only available clue to the constitution of the parties, for since, as a rule, the sexes are born in equal proportions, one can infer that the groups contain more females than males-an inference suggesting polygyny, and one that is supported by the fact that polygyny maintained by dominance is the habit of captive monkeys. The third kind of report that has been consulted only indicates that certain species are gregarious.
