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

 and 4, the Small-toothed Sportive-Lemur (Z. 7nicrodon). 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. hucopus). With the exception 

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

 made known for 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 alcohoHc 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. 



