690 PRIM A TES 



under this name appear to form a transition between the true 

 Lemurs and the Galagos. The genus was originally established by 

 Geoffrey St. Hilaire in 1812 for the reception of three species 

 only known at that time by drawings made in Madagascar by the 

 traveller Commerson. Subsequent discoveries have brought to 

 light several others that may be referred to it, including one or 

 two which are sometimes considered as forming a genus apart under 

 the name of Microcebus. They are all small, some being less than 

 a rat in size, long-tailed, and nocturnal in their habits. One of the 

 largest, C. furcifer, is of a reddish-gray colour, and distinguished 

 by a dark median stripe on its back which divides on the top of 

 the head into two branches, one of which passes forwards above 

 each eye. The most interesting peculiarity of these animals, a 

 knowledge of which we owe to M. Grandidier, is that certain species 

 (C. samati, C. gliroides, C. milii, etc.) during the dry season coil them- 

 selves up in holes of trees and pass into a state of torpidity like 

 that of the hibernating animals in the winter of northern climates. 

 Before this takes place an immense deposit of fat accumulates 

 upon certain parts of the body, especially upon the basal portion of 

 the tail, which has then dimensions corresponding to that of the 

 well-known fat-tailed Sheep of the Cape, but which by the time 

 they emerge from their torpor has acquired its normal proportions. 

 The smallest species, to which many names have been given 

 (C. pusillus, rufus, smithi, etc.), lives among the small branches on 

 the tops of the highest trees, feeding on fruit and insects, and 

 making nests which resemble those of birds. 



Galago. 1 Last upper premolar with two large external cusps, 

 and nearly equalling the first molar in size. Calcaneum about one- 

 third the length of the tibia, and the navicular much longer than 

 the cuboid. Vertebrae : C 7, D 13, L 6, S 3, C 22-26. Tail long, 

 and generally bushy. Ears large, rounded, naked, and capable of 

 being folded at the will of the animal. Mammae four, two pectoral 

 and two inguinal. 



The Galagos differ from all the Lemuroids previously mentioned, 

 inasmuch as they are inhabitants, not of Madagascar, but of the 

 African continent, being widely distributed in the wooded districts 

 from Senegambia in the west to Abyssinia in the east, and as far 

 south as Natal. They pass the day in sleep, but are very active at 

 night, feeding on fruit, insects, and small birds. When they 

 descend to the ground they sit upright, and move about by jump- 

 ing with their hind legs, like jerboas and kangaroos. They are 

 pretty little animals, varying in size from that of a small cat to less 

 than a rat, with large eyes and ears, soft woolly fur, and long tails. 

 There are several species, of which G. crassicaudatus, from Mozam- 

 bique, is the largest. A similar species, or perhaps variety, from 

 1 Geoffroy, Mag. Encydop. 2d ami. vol. i. p. 49 (1796). 



