ON THE LEMURIDjE. 203 



be proved that the Galeopithecus is the type of a family sui generis ; our present 

 arrangement must be regarded as provisional. It is, then, on the side of the 

 Lemuridce that we venture to rank the Galeopithecus ; but we see in it, as in 

 many other forms in the animal kingdom, one of those links, which, embodying 

 in itself the characters of other groups, or rather a portion of the characters of 

 two, intervenes to constitute a bond between them. Aberrant forms as they are 

 in one sense, they are essential to the unity of Nature, in whose works there 

 are in truth no abrupt intervals, no unfilled chasms, a completeness of design 

 being carried through the whole. We admit that vacancies do indeed occasionally 

 interrupt us, but they are vacancies which the discoveries of the fossil-zoologist 

 are perpetually enabling us to supply, and which will all ultimately receive 

 their legitimate occupants. 



The genus Galeopithecus contains but one species, subject to considerable varia- 

 tions of colour; in maturity it is of a grizzled brown above, and pale rufous 

 brown beneath. Length of the head and body, 1 foot 6 inches; of the tail 10| 

 inches ; spread of the arms, 3 feet. Fur soft and full above, scanty beneath, and 

 especially on the under side of the membranes. 



Species Galeopithecus variegatus, Geopfr. (Lemur volans, Linn.) 



The Galeopithecus is a native of the Moluccas and the Islands of the Indian 

 Archipelago ; it is arboreal and nocturnal, but of its habits we have little de- 

 tailed information. It is probably omnivorous. Like the Bats, it is said to sleep 

 during the day suspended by its hind claws, with the head downwards. In pass- 

 ing from tree to tree it takes long sweeping leaps, which it executes with admir- 

 able ease and address. It is said to produce two young at a birth, which adhere 

 to the teats of their parent, but Camelli, in a MS. on the subject in the British 

 Museum, asserts it to have a double abdominal pouch, in which the young are 

 carried, which is certainly an error. One of its native names is Colugo; and 

 under the title of " Flying Colugo" it is described in Shaw's Zoology, Vol. I., 

 p. 11G, 1800. It is the " Flying Macauco" of Pennant. In Mus. Zool. Soc. 



Corrigendum. — Lemur Anguarensis. — We have had a recent opportunity of 

 examining this species, which is undoubtedly distinct. Body, above glossy grey- 

 ish rufous ; paler beneath. Head and throat grizzled, dusky black, darker on the 

 forehead. Tail inclining to dull black at the extremity. 



No. 10, Vol. II. 2e 



