108 LLOYD'S NATURAL HISTORY. 
necessity, such as when the trees are so far apart as to render it 
impossible to traverse the space by leaping. When pursued, it 
takes to the highest branches, and springs from tree to tree 
with great rapidity, reminding me of monkeys I have seen in 
the forests of Singapore, which, when frightened, exhibit a 
similar degree of activity. It contrives to elude its pursuers by 
leaps, which, giving an impetus to the body, are very materially 
aided by the expanded membrane between the fore and hind 
feet. ‘This enables the animal to pass over a very considerable 
distance in its leaps. It is surprising to see it jumping from 
branch to branch and tree to tree, in the clear and delightful 
atmosphere of a fine Australian moonlight night, with so extra- 
ordinary a degree of skill and rapidity. But I remarked that 
the flying leaps were invariably downwards, in an oblique 
direction, and, that when desirous of ascending, the creature 
would climb rapidly, and if overtaken would cling so tena- 
ciously to the bark of the tree, as, while living, to be very 
difficult of removal. Having become tamer from confinement, 
the animal would suffer itself to be handled without scratching 
and biting as at first, and would lick the hand for sweets, of 
which it was very fond, and permit its little nose to be touched 
and fur examined in any gentle manner; but if anyone at- 
tempted to take it up by the body it became most violent in | 
temper, biting and scratching with savage rage, at the same time 
uttering its snarling, wheezing, spitting kind of guttural growl. 
If caught by the tail it would be more quiet (excepting if held 
.too long in one position), and would spread the membrane as if 
to save itself from falling. . . . It is a crepuscular and 
night animal, sleeping most of the day coiled up in a circle, 
with its bushy tail thrown over it like a blanket; it occasion- 
ally wakes up and feeds a little, but appears then to be defective 
in vision and unable to endure the strong glare of daylight, 
soon seeking its dark retreat and repose; but in the dusk of 
