THE RUFFED LEMUR 



(Lemur varius) 



THIS beautiful animal is the largest of the typical Lemurs, and is 

 exceeded in size by but few species in the family to which it belongs ; 

 it about equals a terrier in dimensions. In the face it presents no 

 human semblance whatsoever, the long muzzle being much like that of 

 a fox, and the play of feature, so usual in monkeys, being quite absent. 



The teeth are remarkable for the forward projection and narrowness 

 of the incisors of the lower jaw, and for the fact that the canines are 

 very similar and lie on each side of them, though there is an erect 

 tusk-like tooth in this jaw, in the form of the first grinder, which is 

 sharp and pointed. In the upper jaw the canines have the usual tusk- 

 like form and downward direction. 



The paws, however, are more like human hands than those of many 

 monkeys, the thumb being large and well developed ; the feet are similar 

 in structure, with a large opposable great toe ; all the fingers and toes 

 have flat nails, except the second toe, which has a sharp curved claw, 

 with which the animal scratches itself. 



The limbs are also particularly human in that the fore are distinctly 

 shorter than the hind ; this renders the Lemur's gait on all fours less agile 

 than a monkey's, especially as it places the whole palm on the ground as 

 well as the sole ; on the trees, however, it bounds about with great agility. 

 The tail is often carried raised and curved, so as to look like a note of 

 interrogation ; when the beast is at rest it wraps its tail round its body. 



The habits of the typical Lemurs are very similar ; they are nearly 

 all tree-animals, and they live upon much the same food as most 

 monkeys leaves, fruit, and any small creatures they can capture. They 

 are sociable in habits, and are said to be very noisy, the Ruffed species in 

 particular giving vent to harsh roars, chiefly in the morning and even- 

 ing ; they are not, however, nocturnal, unlike most of the Lemur tribe. 



