THE SPORTIVE-LEMURS. 85 



larged and swollen, in this respect differing from the skulls of 

 Lemur and Hapalemur. The ridges in the temporal bone 

 unite into a frontal (sagittal) ridge, and the space between the 

 orbits is depressed ; a depression is also present on the cheek in 

 front of the lachrymal foramen. The foot is slightly elongated 

 by the lengthening of the naviadare bone of the ankle {tarsus), 

 the thin bones of which are short. In the wrist {carpus) there 

 is no OS centrale or central bone, which is otherwise invariably 

 present in the Primates, except in Man, the Chimpanzees, the 

 Gentle-Lemurs, and the Endrina. 



The Sportive-Lemurs are confined to Madagascar and 

 are nocturnal and arboreal creatures, feeding on leaves and 

 fruits. 



In Group A (the larger species) are included: i. The Weasel- 

 like Lemur (Z. mustelinus) ; 2, the Red-tailed Sportive-Lemur 

 (Z. nificaudatus) ; 3, Edwards' Sportive-Lemur (Z. edwardsi) ; 

 and 4, the Small-toothed Sportive- Lemur (Z. microdon). Group 

 B (consisting of the smaller species) comprises : i. The 

 Round-headed Sportive-Lemur (Z. globiceps) ; 2, Grandi- 

 dier's Sportive-Lemur (Z. grandidieri) ; and 3, the White- 

 footed Sportive-Lemur (Z. leucopus). With the exception 

 of the two first-named species, all the others are here 

 made known f r the first time by Dr. Forsyth Major. Very 

 little is recorded of the habits of these animals. They are so 

 rare that at present the various species are known from a 

 few skins or alcoholic specimens in European museums. 

 They are said to be inhabitants only of the forest-country, 

 nocturnal in their habits, sleeping coiled up in some retreat 

 all day, but issuing forth at night, at which time they are very 

 agile in their movements. 



