THE LEMURS LYDRIS. 



67 



THE INDRIS. 



The largest and most highly developed of all 

 Lemurs are the Indris (Liclianotiis) or, as they are 

 called in Madagascar, Babacoto. There are two 

 kinds, the short-tailed Lemur (Lichanotus brevicau- 

 datus) being the better known. They attain a length 

 of about thirty-five inches, 

 inclusive of the tail, which 

 measures but one inch. The 

 medium-sized head shows a 

 pointed muzzle, small eyes 

 and small ears nearly hidden 

 in the fur. The body and 

 limbs are clothed in a thick, 

 woolly fur; the forehead, 

 throat, chest, tail, ankles and 

 sides being white and the 

 remainder of the body black 

 and brown. 



Sonnerat, who made the 

 Babacoto known to the 

 world, says that he is, like 

 his relatives — the Monkeys — 

 a very good climber, that he 

 sits erect, like a Squirrel, 

 when eating, and carries his 

 food, consisting chiefly of 



Dog, used for hunting purposes by the natives of 

 the southern part of Madagascar. 



"In certain^partsof Madagascar," says Pollen, "the 

 Babacoto is trained for bird-hunts. He is said to be 

 as serviceable as the best of Dogs ; for, though he is 

 a vegetable feeder, he by no means despises small 



THE CAT-LIKE LEMUR. In spite of the fox-like muzzle this 



picture shows ample justification for a name that compares this creature to 

 a Cat. The tail in alternate rings of black and white is the most prom- 

 inent feature, not only because of its peculiar marking but also by reason 

 of its length and bushy fur. The position shown in the picture displays 

 to advantage the symmetrical and well formed limbs that give the animal 

 the agility it displays in its nightly wanderings. {Lemur catta.) 



fruits, to his mouth with his hands. His voice is 

 of a melancholy, wailing cadence, resembling that 

 of a crying child. He is gentle and good-natured, 

 and numbers of his family are trained, and, like the 



MONGOOSE LEMUR. Has a remarkable, bushy tail that is longer 



than its body, and is reddish gray in color. It lives chiefly upon fruits and 

 seeks food in the darkness of the night. The head is long and the forehead 

 flat. It makes a very fine pet, doing well in captivity. {Lemur mongoz.) 



birds, and catches them with the greatest dexterity, 

 their brains being esteemed a choice dainty by him." 

 No Babacoto has been brought to Europe alive, 

 which is very astonishing. Being more or less of a 

 domestic animal in Madagascar, neither his capture 

 nor his keeping can be attended with difficulties. 



THE MAKIS. 



The name of Maki belongs to the most numerous 

 family of the Lemurs, and this designation repre- 

 sents the peculiar cry they give forth. The Makis 

 have a decidedly fox-like muzzle, with moderately 

 large eyes and ears, well formed limbs of nearly 

 equal length, the hands and feet showing a few 

 scattered hairs on their backs ; a tail longer than the 

 body, and a soft fur of fine, and sometimes woolly, 

 texture. 



This group shows many varieties, but modern re- 

 search has revealed the fact that many so-called 

 varieties are not distinct species, the difference in 

 appearance being based on sex, age, etc. The best- 

 known of the Makis is the Vari, or Ruffed Lemur 

 {Lemur varius), distinguished by a black and white 

 fur, the spots of the two colors being differently dis- 

 tributed in every specimen. The Vari is one of the 

 largest of the Makis, equaling in size a large Cat. 



The Catta (Lemur catta) is distinguished by his 

 graceful figure and his long tail, showing alternately 

 black and white ringlets. His principal color is 

 gray, the face, ears and under part of the body 

 being whitish. Other kinds that we often see in 

 zoological gardens, are the Mongoose ( Lemur mon- 

 goz) and the Macaco or Black Maki (Lemur macaco). 

 In the last named species the male is nearly pure 

 black ; while the female is of a lighter or darker 



