FAMILY OF LEMURS. 7 



fender before a fire, and in this situation will spread their hands, half close their 

 eyes, and testify unequivocal satisfaction. During the day they sleep in a ball- 

 like figure on their perch, and if two be in a cage together, they sit close to one 

 another, with their tails wrapped (Boa-like) round each other's body, so as to 

 make one round ball, from which, on being disturbed, two heads suddenly make 

 their appearance. Their temper is gentle, and they are pleased with being noticed, 

 delighting to have their heads scratched or rubbed, for which purpose they will 

 press them to the bars of their cage, and continue so to do as long as thus grati- 

 fied. Their intelligence is, however, far more limited than that of the Monkeys 

 nor have they the prying, mischievous, petulant disposition of those animals, so 

 that they may be trusted, with due precautions, in a room at liberty. "When 

 presented with food, they usually take it in their hands, but not always, for we 

 have seen them feed upon soft bread without holding it ; they lap fluid like a Dog. 

 In size the Lemurs equal a Cat, and some are longer ; when in motion their tail 

 is elevated in a sigmoid form, and not trailed after them. 



Of the restricted genus Lemur, the following are the species: — 

 1. — The Ruffed Lemur (Lemur Macaco* Linn.) — The fur is varied with large 

 patches of black, on a pure white ground ; the hands and feet are black, and 

 a full white ruff surrounds the face. — In Mus. Zool. Soc. 

 2. — The Black Lemur( Le?nur niger, Geoff.) — This rare species was first described 

 t>y Edwards, in his Gleanings, under the title of " Black Macauco," figured 

 from a living specimen, in 1775. It remained a doubtful species till the 

 accession of an individual to the menagerie of the Zoological Society, in 

 1833. It is noticed in the Proceedings for that year, p. 68. — In Mus. 

 Zool. Soc. 

 3. — Redfronted Lemur (Lemur rufifrons, Bennett), a new species described by 

 Mr. Bennett, in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society, in 1833, p. 106, 

 from a specimen in the menagerie. General colour dark grey; a rufous 

 patch occupies the forehead, with a longitudinal streak of black down the 

 centre, expanding over the nose ; limbs, under parts, and tail, tinged with 

 rufous. — In Mus. Zool. Soc. 

 4. — Red Lemur (Lemur ruber, P^ron). — This species was first discovered by 

 Commerson, who saw and figured the animal in 1763. MM. Peron and 

 Le Sueur, who accompanied the celebrated expedition under Capt. Baudin, 

 brought a skin to Paris ; and ten years afterwards a living individual was 

 brought there, from which F. Cuvier took his figure. A living specimen 

 existed some time since at Exeter Change, and another was in the menagerie 

 of the Zool Soc. in the year 1830. — It is described and figured in the Gar- 

 den and Menagerie delineated. Colour bright rufous, hands, tail, and belly 

 black ; and a large oval patch of white occupies the back of the neck. — In 

 Mus. Zool. Soc. 



