218 APES, MONKEYS, AND LEMURS 



gray, with a tinge of yellow, becoming somewhat paler on the under parts and the 

 inner sides of the limbs. The individual hairs are black, with a reddish band near 

 their tips. 



The species differs from the true lemurs in being purely nocturnal in its habits. 

 It is chiefly found in bamboo- jungles, and subsists mainly on the young tender 

 shoots of these plants, as well as on their leaves. In such jungles its capture 

 is difficult, and hence living examples are rare in our menageries. One living in the 

 Zoological Society's Gardens in the year 1870 was regarded by the late Dr. Gray as 

 a new species, and described as the broad-nosed lemur (H. simus), but it does not 

 appear to be more than a variety. According to a French traveler, the gentle, 

 or gray lemur is known to the natives of Madagascar as the Bokombouli. 



THE WEASEL-LEMUR 

 Genus Lepidolemur 



The slender, or weasel-lemur, is the last representative of the present group, 

 and belongs to a genus containing two species, which differ from all other lemur- 

 like animals in having, when adult, either no upper front (incisor) teeth at all, 

 or merely a single pair of minute rudimentary ones. This characteristic will at 

 once suffice to distinguish these animals from the gentle lemur, which they resemble, 

 however, in being of purely nocturnal habits. A further distinction is afforded 

 by the greater length of the muzzle ; and also by the ears being bald and somewhat 

 larger. The tail is long, and covered with close-set short hair. 



The weasel-lemur {Lepidolemur mustelinus) is chiefly found in the northwest 

 of Madagascar, and is characterized by having no upper front teeth at all when quite 

 full grown. Its head and body together measure about ten inches in length, while 

 the length of the tail is fourteen inches. This is one of the lemurs which are 

 subject to great individual variation of color, in consequence of which it has re- 

 ceived several distinct scientific names. In one variety the general color of the 

 upper parts is dark gray tinged with yellow, the back having a darker stripe, 

 while the under parts, as well as the throat, are whitish gray. The dark stripe 

 on the back may, however, be wanting; and some specimens are redder above 

 and yellower beneath ; indeed, scarcely any two individuals are alike in these re- 

 spects. 



The weasel-lemur, during its nocturnal rambles, is marvelously active, and is 

 capable of taking tremendous leaps among the trees in which it dwells ; its slender 

 build and long limbs being admirably adapted for such a mode of progression. 

 Like the gentle lemur, it subsists solely on leaves ; and it is much sought after as 

 an article of food by the natives of Madagascar, to whom it is known by the name 

 of Fitili-ki. It is killed by being knocked on the head with a stick while curled up 

 during the day in its nest of leaves, to which it has been tracked down at the end of 

 its nocturnal excursions. 



