THE ENDRINAS. 93 



The species of this Sub-family are confined to the island of 

 Madagascar. Our knowledge of their general characters, 

 anatomical structure and habits, is very complete, through 

 the researches, both in the field, of M. Grandidier, and in the 

 study, of Prof. Alphonse Milne-Edwards. These results are 

 published in their magnificent "Histoire de Madagascar," to 

 which the reader is referred for fuller information. 



The hidrisince^ on account of their superior organisation, 

 and especially their relatively large brain, are considered to 

 be the highest of all the Lemuroids. They are essentially 

 arboreal. If they come to the ground they sit upright on 

 their hind-legs, and progress by jumps, holding their arms 

 above their heads. They are easily tamed, and become gentle 

 in confinement; but they are not very intelligent. The 

 Endrinas "never manifest in any very marked manner," so 

 MM. Milne-Edwards and Grandidier tell us, "the passions that 

 affect the Apes so vividly ; their countenance, almost as immo- 

 bile as that of an herbivorous or carnivorous animal, exhibits 

 neither anger nor pleasure. In captivity they do not seek to 

 be caressed ; they appear neither to become attached to their 

 master, nor to take interest in anything about them." Many 

 of their actions, however, and the peculiar sounds they often 

 utter, recall those of Monkeys. 



Some of the species are diurnal and others nocturnal. 



The Sub-family has been divided into three genera, Avahis 

 with one species ; Propithecus, with three species, and Indris 

 with a single species. All its members are remarkable for the 

 extraordinary amount of variation in the coloration of their 

 fur. 



