ABERRANT LEMURIDJ5. GALEOPITHECUS. 179 



consists in the extension of its skin between the anterior and 

 posterior limbs on each side, and also between the two posterior 

 limbs, including the tail ; so as to form 

 a parachute of considerable extent, 

 which, though it does not enable the 

 animal to fly, gives it support in the 

 air, sufficient to enable it to take long 

 sweeping leaps from tree to tree with 

 the utmost facility (ANIM. PHYSIOL. 

 668). The extraordinary combina- 

 tion of characters exhibited by this 

 animal, has caused great doubt to be 

 entertained by Naturalists, as to its 

 proper place in the scale. By Cuvier 

 it was placed at the end of the series 

 of Bats ; and by Geofiroy among the 

 no. 8&-GAUOPITB.CD.. Carnivora. The situation assigned to it 

 by Linnaeus, however, who regarded it as connecting the Lemurs 

 and the Bats, is probably the true one. The general aspect of 

 the head is Lemurine, the extremities are all furnished with five 

 fingers, of which the first (or thumb) is separated from the rest, 

 but does not antagonise with them, being short, whilst the 

 remaining four are nearly equal, and are all armed with large, 

 deep, hooked, sharp-edged, retractile claws, resembling those 

 of the Cat tribe. The incisors are four in each jaw ; but the 

 upper ones do not meet in front, a wide interval being left 

 between the two pairs : the canines are absent in the upper jaw, 

 but present in the lower ; the molars are six on either side in 

 each jaw, and are raised up into pointed tubercles. During the 

 day, these animals remain in the depths of the forests, suspended 

 like Bats from the branches, with the head downwards, and 

 clinging by their hind claws. At night they rouse themselves ; 

 and are active in traversing the trees in every direction ; sweep- 

 ing from one to another with great address in search of their 

 food, which consists, like that of the Lemurs in general, of fruits, 

 insects, eggs, birds, &c. As we find a similar parachute-like 

 expansion existing in other groups of Mammalia, it is evident 



x2 



