THE LEMURS. 103 
The RurreD Lemur is one of the handsomest of this family, challenging a rivalship 
even with the Ring-tailed Lemur in point of appearance. 
The texture of the fur is extremely fine, and its colour presents bold contrasts between 
pure white and a jetty blackness, the line of demarcation being strongly defined. The 
face of the Ruffed Lemur is black, and a fringe of long white hairs stands out like a ruff 
round the face, giving to the creature its very appropriate title. 
As is the case with all the Lemurs, it is a native of Madagascar and of the adjacent 
islands, and seems to take the place of the ordinary monkeys. Of all the Lemurs this 
species is the largest, its size equalling that of a moderately grown cat. Its voice is a 
sepulchral, deep roar, peculiarly loud, considering the size of the animal, and can be 
heard at a great distance in the stilly night. As the Lemurs delight in gathering together 
in large companies, the effect of their united voices is most deafening. The eyes are 
furnished with a transverse pupil, which dilates as darkness draws on, enabling the 
creature to see even in a dark night, and to make search after their daily, or rather their 
nightly food. 
This species is timid at the presence of man, and hides itself at the sound of his foot- 
steps. But if pursued and attacked, it takes instant courage from despair, and flinging 
itself boldly on its antagonist, wages fierce battle. In the conflict, its sharp teeth stand it 
in good stead, and inflict wounds of no trifling severity. 
It is easily tamed, and although it is not a very intellectual animal, it displays much 
gentle affection, readily recognising its friends, and offering itself for their caresses, but 
avoiding the touch of those with whom it is not acquainted, or to whom it takes a dislike. 
It is very impatient of cold, and likes to sit before a fire, where it will perch itself for 
an hour at a time without moving, its attention solely taken up by the grateful warmth. 
It is an active creature, being able to leap to some distance, and always attaining its 
mark with unfailing accuracy. While leaping or running rapidly, the tail is held in a 
peculiar and graceful attitude, following, indeed, Hogarth’s line of beauty. 
RING-TAILED LEMUR.—Lemwur Catta. WHITE-FRONTED LEMUR.—Lemur dlbifrons. RED LEMUR. —Lemur Ruber 
The Rinc-TaILeD Lemur, or MACACco, is at once recognisable by the peculiarity from 
which it derives its popular name. 
It is not quite so large as the Ruffed Lemur, as it only measures a foot from nose to 
tail, the tail itself being some seven or eight inches in length. In captivity it soon 
becomes familiar, and when it chooses to exhibit its powers, is very amusing with its 
merry pranks. If several individuals are confined in the same cage, they are fond of 
huddling together, and involving themselves in such a strange entanglement of tails, 
limbs, and heads, that until they separate, it is almost impossible to decide upon the 
number of the animals that form the variegated mass. 
