In studying the literature relating to that little-known prosimian, the Angwántibo—with a view to incorporating the main facts known about it in a comprehensive work on primate anatomy at present in preparation—I had occasion to consult the original description of the species by J. A. Smith (1860). I there discovered that the type was a spirit specimen (an “adult” male) which was received in Edinburgh, along with a second male, from Old Calabar. There is some confusion in the literature as to the fate of these specimens and this should, I think, be cleared up. Both specimens were procured in 1859 by Rev. A. Robb, one being sent, indirectly, to Smith and the other to Andrew Murray. Smith recognized in his specimen something new and accordingly described it as a new species of Potto, placing it in Bennett's genus Perodicticus as P. calabarensis. He gave an assurance of his intention of depositing the type in the Natural History Museum of the University of Edinburgh, but later sent it to his friend Carruthers at the British Museum for comparison with Bennett's type of Perodicticus potto. Some useful observations were made upon it by Carruthers and incorporated as an addendum to Smith's paper. The specimen was evidently returned to Edinburgh and found its way to the University, but in 1860 it was transferred, with other material, to the Edinburgh Industrial Museum (since 1904 the Royal Scottish Museum).

With the kind assistance of Professor J. Ritchie I have succeeded in tracing it, and with the permission of Dr D. A. Allan, Director of the Museum, and the helpful co-operation of Dr A. C. Stephen, Keeper of Natural History, I have had the privilege of studying it.