ON THE LEMURIDjE: OR r 



naturalist. It is not be- 

 cause Madagascar is sepa- 

 rated from the mainland 

 of Africa that it is desti- 

 tute of SimtcE, for Borneo, 

 Java, and Sumatra, under 

 similar circumstances with 

 regard to the mainland of 

 India, produce the Orang 

 and several other species 

 of Gibbons and Monkeys; 

 and, were we to judge by- 

 analogy, we might reason- 

 ably expect to find mon- 

 keys in this wooded and 

 torrid island. But as 

 these are not indigenous 

 3 and 4, heads of Lemurs. in Madagascar, so, on the 



other hand, none of the restricted genus Lemur, or of other immediately allied' 

 genera, ( Perodicticus, Indris, &c), are natives of Africa. — In fact, the mam- 

 malia of Madagascar are, in a great measure, exclusively its own. "We say 

 in a great measure, because we find, for example, the Pteropine Bats spread 

 throughout a vast range of geographical latitude ; including the islands Bourbon, 

 Mauritius, and Madagascar, from India and its islands, to Africa. In most 

 instances, however, the mammalia of Madagascar, and especially the Lemurs, as 

 we have said, are generically peculiar to it. 



In their native woods, these singular and beautiful animals live in troops, but 

 unless sought for in the recesses of the forest, are seldom seen during the 

 day. They are incommoded by a strong light, and the pupil of the eye is trans- 

 verse, dilating in proportion to the advance of welcome twilight. At this timer 

 and throughout the night, they are all active and alert, bounding from branch to 

 branch, with unequalled ease and gracefulness. There is a peculiar sweeping 

 elegance in their movements, and the leaps they take, as if without effort, are 

 perfectly astonishing. — Their usual voice is a low inward grunt, but they often 

 break forth into a hoarse abrupt roar, producing a startling effect. This roar, 

 uttered by one, is a signal to others, and a chorus of horrid discords resounds through 

 the stilly forest. The roar of the Ruffed Lemur is peculiarly deep and sonorous. 

 In captivity, with care and attention, the Lemur bears our climate well ; but 

 they are impatient of cold, as might be inferred from their soft thick fur, which 

 they need even in their own region. They are fond of sitting perched on the 



