THE RING-TAILED LEMUR Ij 



"Systema Naturae;" a specimen appears to have 

 been preserved in the famous museum of Sir Ashton 

 Lever, which was sold by auction in 1806. 



Soon after the foundation of the menagerie in 

 connection with the Jardin des Plantes, there was 

 added to the collection a ring-tailed lemur which had 

 already lived nineteen years in Europe! Still active 

 and intelligent being, doubtless, " old-fashioned " 

 enough from its long contact with civilisation this 

 patriarch was allowed the free run of Cuvier's 

 laboratory, 1 where it pried into everything with 

 monkey-like inquisitiveness, turning over the skins 

 of the animals which were being prepared to enrich 

 the museum. Unlike a monkey, which becomes 

 soured and savage with increasing years, it was 

 amiable enough with its human companions, climbing 

 upon their shoulders and even reposing in their laps. 

 This lemur disliked cold, basking in the sun or the 

 heat of the fire according to the season ; in winter it 

 solemnly warmed its hands before the blaze like a 

 human being, and burnt its face and whiskers rather 

 than retire from the welcome glow. It ate eggs, 

 bread, carrots, and fruit, and drank spirits ; perfectly 

 "at home from home," it used to sleep on a shelf 

 placed over the door, having previously taken a 

 good half-hour's exercise by leaping about the room. 



One of the most attractive installations now 



1. In an English work, the word " laboratoire " is translated 

 "conservatory," giving the reader quite a wrong impression. Cuvier's 

 original account, which I have consulted, rendersits meaning plain enough. 



