THE STORY OF THE LEMUR. 261 



they soon become docile. They are very susceptible to cold, and when so 

 affected are apt to be fractious and petulant. 



I once had a tame loris which was especially fond of plantains, also 

 partial to small birds, which, when put into his cage, he killed speedily; and, 

 plucking the feathers off with the skill of a poulterer, soon lodged the carcass 

 in his stomach. He ate the bones as well as the flesh; and though birds, and 

 mice perhaps, were his favorite food, he ate other meat very readily, espe- 

 cially when quite fresh; if boiled, or otherwise cooked, he would not taste it. 

 He preferred veal to all other kinds of butchers meat; eggs, also, he was 

 fond of, and sugar was especially grateful tO' his palate; he likewise ate gum- 

 arabic. As flesh was not always to be had quite fresh, he was for some 

 time fed upon bread sopped in water, and sprinkled with sugar; this he ate 

 readily, and seemed to relish it. When food was presented to him, if 

 hungry, he seized it with both hands, and, letting go with his right, held it 

 with his left all the time he was eating. Frequently, when feeding, he 

 grasped the bars in the upper part of his cage with his hind paws, and hung 

 inverted, appearing very much intent upon the food he held in his left hand. 

 He was exceedingly fond of oranges; but, when they were at all hard he 

 seemed very much puzzled how to extract the juice, I have, upon such 

 an occasion, seen him lie all his length upon his back, in the bottom of the 

 cage, and, firmly grasping the piece of orange in both hands, squeeze the 

 juice into his mouth. He generally sat upon his hind part (the hair of which 

 was much worn by long sitting), close to the bars of his cage, grasping 

 them firmly with his hind paws; he then rolled himself up like a ball, with 

 his head in his breast, his thighs closely placed over his belly, and his arms 

 over his head, generally grasping the bars of the cage with his hands also. 

 In this position, and also without moving, he remains the whole day. Upon 

 coming into the Channel, the cold weather affected him very much; he 

 was seized with cramp, and I at that time placed him in a small box, which 

 was filled w^ith very soft down. This he felt so agreeable that, when cold, he 

 never left it during the whole day, unless disturbed, and slept in it rolled 

 up in the shape of a ball. 



His temper, in cold weather especially, was very quick; but, in general, 

 he was rather timid, and never offered any injury unless incautiously 

 touched, teased, or provoked; he then made a shrill, plaintive cry, evidently 

 expressive of much annoyance, and would bite very sharply. 



