3 2 ALLEN'S NATURALIST'S LIBRARY. 



posterior molar tooth. In the upper jaw the incisors are small 

 and equal (Fig. 6) ; posterior pre-molar similar to, but smaller 

 than the anterior molar ; anterior molar with the oblique ridge 

 on crown well developed ; crown of posterior molar four-cusped, 

 that of the posterior lower molar five-cusped. Dorsal and 

 lumbar vertebrae together, 23 ; caudal vertebras, 6-8. 



The alimentary canal is four times the length of the body. 



Adult. Dingy grey above, darker on back, paler on lower 

 back ; the hairs tipped with white. Sides of body, outside of 

 fore- and hind-limbs dingy white, with a faint rufous wash on 

 the outside of the hind-limbs. Face and ring round eyes dark 

 greyish-brown ; streak along nose white, branching on forehead 

 above the eyes on each side into a broad ring encircling the 

 dark ocular ring;; this "frontal branch sometimes absent. 

 Under side greyish-white. Hairs of fur greyish-white at base, 

 dark in the middle, and tipped with white. Length, 8 inches. 



Young. More rust-coloured than the adult. 



Distribution. The Slender Loris is common in the lower 

 forests of Ceylon and of Southern India, south of the Goda- 

 veri river, as well as in those of the Eastern Ghats. 



Habits. This curious, emaciated-looking, little creature is 

 nocturnal, living entirely in trees. It sleeps during the day 

 rolled up in a ball, with its head between its legs, grasping its 

 perch with its hands. According to Jerdon these animals are 

 occasionally brought in large numbers to the Madras market, 

 their eyes being a favourite remedy of the Tamil doctors for 

 ophthalmic diseases. 



In its movements it is slightly more active than the Slow- 

 Ixris. Its food consists of succulent leaves, honey, insects, 

 birds' eggs, and small animals. 



