LEMURS. 23 



They arc masters of the art of expressing sur- 

 prise and contempt. If something is offered to 

 them that they do not like, they bridle up and 

 turn away their heads as much as to say, " Dear 

 me, no ! nothing earthly would induce me to touch 

 a thing like that ; remove it at once ! " 



My greatest surprise in connection with the 

 lemurs took place about two months after their 

 arrival. I had carried Mungo I to see them, and 

 carefully holding him by his string, I allowed 

 him to stand and gaze up at them through the 

 wires. 



He had often done this before, and beyond a 

 few angry snorts and their usual grunting sounds 

 they had taken no notice, but on this occasion they 

 both at the same moment set up the most terrific 

 roar that I ever heard. I do not exaggerate when 

 I declare that it really seemed as loud as the roar 

 of a lion at the Zoo. I was close to them, and it 

 was so utterly unexpected I don't think I was 

 ever quite so astonished in all my life. The sound 

 was truly awful, and it lasted for half a minute or 

 more, till I felt completely stunned, and was glad 



1 My pet mongoose. 



