Natural History: Mammalia/Lemuridæ
Family III. Lemuridæ.
(Macaucos or Fox-monkeys.)
In this Family the form closely approaches that of quadrupeds; the muzzle is lengthened and pointed, and the nostrils are terminal: the thumbs of all the extremities are well developed and opposible, but the index finger of the hind hands bears a narrow pointed claw, while all the rest have broad nails. The number of teeth varies in different genera; the molars begin to exhibit sharp tubercles, which catch in each other, as among the Insectivora.
Most of the members of this family are peculiar to Madagascar, but some inhabit the African continent, and afew more the East Indies. They do not generally exceed the size of a cat.
Genus Lemur. (Linn.
These pretty animals, the species of which are numerous, are confined to the great island of Madagascar, in which they may be considered as the representatives of the Monkeys. In appearance and economy they resemble these well-known animals, except in the head, which in form bears a strong likeness to that of a Fox. The dentition is as i! follows: inc. =; can. =; mol. — :=86: the lower incisors and canines are compressed, and point forwards; the upper canines are trenchant. Lars small: tail very long; fur woolly and soft; teats two, pectoral. They are rather less in size than a cat, are active, nimble, watchful animals ; cleanly in their habits, easily tamed, gentle and playful. Their voice is a shrill whistle, or a guttural grunting. Night seems to be the season of their activity; and lke many other nocturnal animals, the pupil of the eye contracts and expands strongly under stimulus or excitement. They eat fruit and insects.
The species differ little among themselves: we select to illustrate the genus, Lemur albifrons (Groff.), the White-fronted Lemur, which has been kept in the Zoological Gardens, in the Regent’s Park. Its colour is reddish brown, but a band across the forehead, as well as the neck and interior surface of the arms is pure white. ‘* The bounding elasticity of this species,” says a naturalist, who kept a specimen in captivity, ‘‘ when familiar and quite at its ease, is wonderful. It pitches, after a leap of many yards, so lightly as hardly to attract the notice of the ear when it alights. If it take a leap from a table to the back of a distant chair, or even to the upper angle of an open door, it never
WHITE-FRONTED LEMUR.
misses its hold. Under the points of the fingers are elastic cushions, which no doubt assist it in performing these feats. It is a very affectionate animal, and a most amusing companion. Our limits will not permit us to indulge in an account of one which we kept, and which was suffered to go at large. When tired with playing about in the evening, its favourite perch was on the instep of the uppermost leg of his master, as he sat cross-legged before the fire. Having obtained leave, he used to take his seat, wrap his boa-like tail round his shoulders and back, and enjoy his nap.” [1]
Genus Galeopithecus. (Pall.)
The Quadrumanous Order is connected with the following by this very singular genus, which inhabits the most eastern islands of the Indian Archipelago. It consists of two species, Lemur- ine animals, of the size of a cat, which are fur- nished with a membrane expanded between the fore and hind limbs on each side, and continued between the latter, so as to include the tail. The fingers are included in the membrane, but are not greatly lengthened, as in the Bats.
Though not capable of sustained flight, the Galeopithecus is enabled by this parachute to take long sweeping leaps from tree to tree, and thus to traverse the forests in search of food, which is believed to consist of fruits and insects. Its activity is nocturnal: during the day it hangs by the hinder claws from a branch, in the manner of a bat. It diffuses a rank, disagreeable odour; yet the flesh is eaten.
The dentition of these animals differs from that of the Lemurs only in wanting the upper canines.
- ↑ Penny Cyclopædia; Art. Lemuridæ.