174 FAMILY CEBID^E. MARMOZETS. 



placed in the same line with the other fingers ; and that of the 

 hind feet is very short. The tail is large, and thickly covered 



FIG. 78. OUSTITI. 



with hair ; but it is not prehensile ; and its principal purpose 

 seems to be the regulation of the movements, and the prolonga- 

 tion of the leaps, as in the Squirrel, though it is probably of use 

 also in keeping the animals warm when asleep, in which state 

 they coil themselves up into a ball. They are very nimble and 

 agile in their movements, and extremely cautious in their habits, 

 retreating at the slightest alarm ; though they will defend them- 

 selves with great spirit when actually attacked. When in con- 

 finement, they still exhibit a degree of wildness and distrust, 

 which it is difficult to overcome completely; and they do not 

 show the same marks of attachment to those who treat them 

 with kindness, as most other Monkeys display. Their intelli- 

 gence does not seem high ; and their brain is almost destitute of 

 convolutions ; but they show much instinctive sagacity in their 

 search for food, especially insects, which they devour with 

 eagerness. In their manner of holding their food, they strongly 

 remind us of the Squirrel ; for they do not grasp it with the 

 fingers, but press it between the two fore-paws. In many 

 species, the tail is marked by transverse bars, giving it a very 

 elegant appearance ; and several are also distinguished by tufts 

 of hairs, projecting from the sides of the head. 



161. The last family of Quadrumana, that of the LEMUR- 



