I04 QUADRUMANA. 



a dozen times without accident, the little one is taken up and carefully 

 nursed. If, however, it fall to the ground it is left lying. 



Pollen says that in certain parts of Madagascar it is trained to catch 

 birds. But these seem "travelers' tales"; the latter seems especially im- 

 probable, for if the Indris had been thus tamed, living specimens could 

 have been procured. 



II.-GENUS LEMUR. 



The name Maki by which the natives of Madagascar designate this 

 genus is said to be an imitation of the cry it utters. These animals are, 

 of all the Lemuridee, those whose heads are the most tapering ; and there- 

 fore it is to them that the denomination of Fox-headed Monkeys is appli- 

 cable. Buffon called them False-Monkeys. They stand somewhat high 

 on their feet, and take rank, for size, between the Marten and the Fox. 

 Their fur is soft and thick, and their tail long and bushy. They live in 

 forests, and feed chiefly on fruits. Their movements are light and grace- 

 ful ; their voice is a low or a loud growl, according to the nature of their 

 emotions. The female has only one at a birth, and testifies the greatest 

 tenderness for it, keeping it concealed beneath her body, buried in her 

 thick fur, until the period when its hair, having acquired a sufficient 

 length, may efficaciously protect it against external vicissitudes. It is 

 suckled for six months, after which it is left to its own resources. 



These animals are sociable, and often collect into numerous bands. 

 They select almost inaccessible places to sleep in ; are readily tA'.ned, and 

 even reproduce in captivity. Their dental formula is 



I. ^-=^, C. i^-', P. ^-^^, M. ^^^ = ^6. 

 2-2' I — i' 3 — 3 3-3 



The number of species is fifteen. 



Pollen gives a description of the habits of one species, the Mayotte, 

 which will serve for them all. They live in bands of six to twelve, and 

 travel about in search of their favorite food, the fruit of the Date palm : 

 they are seen by day descending from trees to pick up fallen fruic. No 

 sooner has the sun set than the whole band set up their lamer.table cry. 

 When chased by dogs they take refuge in a tree, where they remain with 

 their eyes fixed on their enemy, moving their tails to and fro, and growl- 

 ing. If wounded they defend themselves stoutly, leaping on the dog's 



