THE GAL AGO. 



97 



tubes to the different parts of the limb. It is possible that to this formation may be owing 

 the power of silent movement and slow patience which has been mentioned as the property of 

 these monkeys, for a very similar structure is found to exist in the sloth. 



In captivity, this Loris appears to be tolerably omnivorous, eating both animal and vege- 

 table food, preferring, however, the former. Living animals best please its taste, and the 

 greatest dainty that can be offered to the creature is a small bird, which it instantly kills, 

 plucks and eatsentirely, the bones included. Eggs are a favorite food with it, as are insects. 

 It will take butcher' s meat, if raw, but will not touch it if cooked in any way. Of vegetable 

 pubstances, sugar appears to take its fancy the most, but it will eat fruits of various kinds, 

 such as oranges and plantains, and has been known to suck gum arable. 



Another curious inhabitant of Madagascar is the INDRI, or AVAHI, a creature that has 

 sometime been considered as one of the lemurs, and placed among them by systematic natu- 



KUKANQ, OK SLOW-PACED LORIS. Slenopi tordigmdus. 



ralists. From the curled and woolly hair with which the body is covered it derives its name of 

 "Laniger," or Wool-bearer. Just over the loins, and partly down the flanks, the soft wool- 

 like hair takes a firmer curl than is found to be the case in any other part of the body or 

 limbs. It is but a small animal, the length of its head and body being only a foot, and its tail 

 nine inches. The general color of the fur is a lightish brown, with a white stripe on the back 

 of the thigh, and a tinge of chestnut in the tail. In some individuals a rusty red, mingled 

 with a yellow hue, takes the place of the brown ; and in all the under parts are lighter than 

 the upper. Its face is black, and the eyes are gray, with a greenish light playing through 

 their large orbs. 



The name Indri is a native word, signifying, it is said, "man of the woods." Its voice is 

 not very powerful, but can be heard at some distance. It is of a melancholy, wailing character, 

 and has been likened to the cry of a child. 



The LITTLE GALAGO is sometimes called by the name of the Madagascar Rat, on account 

 of its rat-like form, and the color of the fur. It is about the size of a small rat, and might 

 easily be mistaken for one of those animals by a non-zoologist. The tint of its fur is a very 

 light mouse-color. 



