ON THE LEMURIDjE. 197 



Head of Galago, to shew the ears. 



These consist, in the large size of the ears, which are membranous, naked, 

 and, as in the Long-eared Bats, capable of being folded down over the external 

 orifice ; and in the extreme development of the hinder limbs, and especially of 

 their tarsal portion, which remind us of those of the Gerboa ; as well as in the 

 magnitude of the eyes, which are full, directed forwards, and approximating 

 closely together. 



The head is round ; the muzzle pointed ; the tail long ; the fingers, both of 

 the fore and hind hands, long and slender, with the usual claw on the first finger 

 of the posterior pair. The fur is full, soft, and woolly. Were we to regard the 

 length of the tarsi in this genus, without reference to the feet, or rather hinder 

 hands, which — from the length and freedom of the thumb and fingers, are 

 admirably adapted as organs of prehension — we might be inclined to fancy that 

 the Galagos were terrestial animals, proceeding by a leaping movement, as do 

 the Gerboas and Gerbills, whereas they are eminently arboreal, and display the 

 most surprising agility, sporting among the branches with the lightness and 

 address of birds. They are, we need scarcely say, decidedly nocturnal, sleeping 

 on their perch during the day, their ears being folded so as to exclude or rather 

 deaden the noises of the forest ; for their sense of hearing being exquisitely 

 susceptible, sounds which would not interrupt the repose of most animals, would 

 keep them in a state of perpetual watchfulness. On the approach of night they 

 are all animation; with ears expanded, and glistening eyes, they begin their 

 prowl for food. They watch the insects flitting among the leaves, they listen to 

 the buzzing of the Moth as it darts through the air, they lie in wait for the 

 incautious flutterer, and dart upon it with the velocity of an arrow, seldom 

 missing their prize. In addition to insects they feed also on gum, and are 



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