RUFFED LEMUR. 



in its manners and appearance. The fiu- is long and exquisitely soft, diversified 

 with bold stripes of black upon a groimd of white and reddish-yellow. Tho tail 

 is long and full ; its colom* is white, encircled with numerous rings of a hue so 

 deep that it may almost be called black. A radiating tuft of white hairs springs 

 from each side of the face, and contrasts well with the jetty hue of the head. 



On account of the beauty of its fur, and the gentleness of its demeanour when 

 rightly treated, it is frequently brought from its native land, and forced to lead a 

 life of compelled civilization in foreign climes. It is peculiarly sensitive to cold 

 and always likes to have its house well fmiiished with soft and warm bedding, 

 which it piles up in a corner, and mider which it delights to hide itself. 



The Marmosets do not seem to be possessed of a very large share of intelligence, 

 but yet are engaging little creatm-es if kindly treated. They are very fond of 

 flies and other insects, and will often take a fly from the hand of the visitor. 

 One of these animals with whom I struck up an acquaintance, took great pleasm'e 

 in making me catch flies for its use, and taking them daintily out of my hand. 

 When he saw my hand sweep over a doomed fly, the bright eyes sparkled with 

 eager anticipation ; and when I approached the cage, the little creature thrust 

 its paw through the bars as far as the wires would permit, and opened and 

 closed the tiny fingers with restless impatience. It then insinuated its 

 hand among my closed fingers, and never failed to find and to captm-e the 

 imprisoned fly. 



RUPFED LEUVJi.—Lenun- Macaco. 



The Lemurs are less monkey-like than any of the i)receding animals, and 

 approach nearer the peculiar form of quadiaipeds. It is only on a close examina- 

 tion of the feet that the monkey-like stnicture is seen, for the head of all the 

 Lemurs is entirely imlike the usual monkej^ head, and even in the skull the 

 distinction is as clearly marked as in the living being. Shai-p, long, and pointed, 

 the muzzle and jaws are singularly fox-like, while the general fonn of these 

 animals, and the mode in which they walk, would lead a hasty obseiTer to place 

 them among the ti-ue quadi'upeds. Yet, on a closer examination, the quadrumanous 

 characteristics are seen so plainly, that the Lemurs can but be refeiTed to their 

 proper position among, or rather at the end of, the monkey tribe. 



The word Lemur signifies a night-wandering ghost, and has been applied to 

 this group of animals on account of their noctm*nal habits, and their stealthy, 

 noiseless step, which renders their progress almost as inaudible as that of the 

 unearthly beings from whom thoy derive their name. 



