72 LEMUR-LIKE ANIMALS 



the Ring-tailed (Lemur catta), as their names imply, possess 

 notable features of difference in their general appearance. 

 The black and white in almost equal proportions of the 

 Ruffled variety are in sharp contrast ; and the large ruff 

 round the neck and the great bushy tail, not unlike a lady's 

 black fur boa, add greatly to the elegance and the tout 

 ensemble of the whole figure. When sleeping, all Lemurs 

 curl themselves into a ball and coil the tail round the body 

 to keep it warm. If several Ring-tailed ones inhabit the 

 same cage they sleep together, clinging closely to each 

 other, and wrapping their thinner tails impartially round 

 themselves or their friends until it is impossible to dis- 

 tinguish the owner of any particular appendage. 



The last group of the Quadrumana are the Lemuroids, i.e., 

 Lemur-like animals. At one time they were confounded 

 with the true Lemurs, but they inhabit different countries 

 and exhibit marked characteristics. 



BROWN MOUSE LEMUR (Chirogaleus milii). 

 Plate V. Fig. 2. 



The Mouse Lemurs are among the smallest of their tribe, 

 some, at least, of them being less in size than an ordinary 

 rat. Not a few of them are hibernators, becoming dormant 

 not in the coldest, but in the hottest period of the year. In 

 later pages will be found references to the hibernation of 

 various animals, most of which become extremely fat just 

 before they retire for a season ; but the Mouse Lemurs store 

 up fat only in the region of the base of the tail. The Brown 

 Mouse Lemur is only about two-thirds of a foot in length, 

 to which must be added the long tail. The greyish-brown 

 fur is remarkably fine and silky ; it is white on the throat 

 and underparts. 



The Dwarf Mouse Lemur is only half the size of the fore- 

 going. The most marked feature of the little creature is its 

 beautifully brilliant eyes. In the top of a tall tree it con- 

 structs a nest which in size and appearance might easily 

 be taken for that of a rook. 



