if (m <:< manifest[String]) println("Hey, this list is full of strings") else println("Non-stringy list") } foo(List("one", "two")) // Hey, this list is full of strings foo(List(1, 2)) // Non-stringy list foo(List("one", 2)) // Non-stringy list cf. http://stackoverflow.com/questions/3213510/what-is-a-manifest-in-scala-and-when-do-you-need-it