44 



THE FLYING LEMUR. 



them to pieces, as if in search after grubs. She is very active, and 

 climbs about the cage or on the branches, in almost any position. 

 Like the squirrel, she covers herself with her bushy tail when in repose. 



It is a nocturnal animal like the Galagos and Lemurs, and seeks its 

 prey by night only, spending the day in sleep, curled up in the dark 

 hollow of a tree, or in some similar spot, where it can retire from view 

 and from light. 



As is shown by the scientific name of the Aye-aye, it is a native of 

 Madagascar, and even in that island is extremely scarce, appearing to 



CoLUGO {Galeopithecus votans). 



be limited to the western portions of the country, and to escape even 

 the quick eyes of the natives. 



The eyes are of a brownish yellow color, and very sensitive to light, 

 as may be expected in a creature so entirely nocturnal in its habits. It 

 is not a very small animal, measuring almost a yard in total length, of 

 which the tail occupies one moiety. 



The strange animal which is known by the name of the Flying 

 Lemur, or Colugo, affords an intermediate link of transition between 

 the four-handed and the wing-handed mammals. 



By means of the largely-developed membrane which connects the 

 limbs with each other, and the hinder limbs with the tail, the Colugo 



