THE SLOW-PACED LORIS. 41 



The Slow-paced Loris, or Kukang, is very similar in its habits to 

 the animal just mentioned, but differs from it in size, color, and several 

 parts of its form. 



The fur is of a texture rather more woolly than that of the Slender 

 Loris, and its color has something of a chestnut tinge running through 

 it, although some specimens are nearly as gray as the Slender Loris. 

 A dark stripe surrounds the eyes, ears, and back of the head, reaching 

 to the corners of the mouth. From thence it runs along the entire 

 length of the spine. The color of this dark band is a deep chestnut. 

 This animal is rather larger than the preceding, being a little more than 

 a foot in length. 



In the formation of these creatures some very curious sti'uctures are 

 found, among which is the singular grouping of arteries and veins in 

 the limbs. 



Instead of the usual tree-like mode in which the limbs of most 

 animals are supplied with blood — one large trunk-vessel entering the 

 limb, and then branching off into numerous subdivisions — the limbs 

 of the Loris are furnished with blood upon a strangely modified system. 

 The arteries and veins, as they enter and leave the limb, are suddenly 

 divided into a great number of cylindrical vessels, lying close to each 

 other for some distance, and giving off their 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 men- 

 tioned as the property of these monkeys, for a very similar structure 

 is found to exist in the sloth. 



The tongue of the Loris is aided iu its task by a plate of cartilage, 

 by which it is supported, and which is, indeed, an enlargement of the 

 tendinous band that is found under the root of the tongue. It is much 

 thicker at its base than at the extremity, which is so deeply notched 

 that it seems to have been slit with a knife. It is so conspicuous an 

 organ that it has been often described as a second tongue. The throat 

 and vocal organs seem to be but little developed, as is consistent with the 

 habits of an animal whose very subsistence depends upon its silence. Ex- 

 cepting when irritated, it seldom or never utters a sound, and even then 

 its vocal powers seem to be limited to a little monotonous, plaintive cry. 



In captivity this Loris appears to be tolerably omnivorous, eating 

 both animal and vegetable food, preferring, however, the former. Liv- 

 ing animals best please its taste, and the greatest dainty that can be 

 afforded to the creature is a small bird, which it instantly kills, plucks, 

 and eats entirely, 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 substances, 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-arabic. 

 4 s- 



