THE SIFAKAS THE GALAGOS 55 



THE SIFAKAS 



THE Sifakas (Propithecus), of which there are three species, all very variable in 

 colour, and all confined to Madagascar, resemble the true Lemurs in general form 

 and size, but have shorter muzzles, more like a Cat's than a Fox's. They are tree 

 animals for the most part, but when they come to the ground do not go on all fours, 

 but jump along on their hind feet. They are more purely vegetarian than any 

 others of the Lemur family, and are very delicate in captivity. Only one kind, the 

 Diademed Sifaka (P. diadema) has been exhibited at Regent's Park, and this quite 

 recently ; it only lived a few days. The Avahi (Avahis laniger), a closely allied 

 animal of small size and brown colour, has, however, been several times in that 

 collection. Another relative of the Sifakas is the Endrina or Babakoto {Indris 

 brevicaudatus), the largest of all Lemurs, and remarkable in having but a rudi- 

 mentary stump of a tail. It is pied like the Ruffed Lemur, but is also a very 

 variable animal. It is well known in Madagascar from the dismal howls it con- 

 stantly utters, and is reverenced by the natives, but seems never to have been 

 brought to Europe alive. 



THE MOUSE LEMURS 



THE Mouse Lemurs (Chirogale), Dwarf Lemurs {Microcebus), and Fat-tailed Lemurs 

 (Opotemur) are ail Madagascar animals of small size and nocturnal habits. Several 

 sleep during the dry season, having previously got very fat, especially about the 

 root of the tail. They are usually about as big as Rats, and are inhabitants of the 

 tree-tops, where they build nests and feed on fruit and insects ; they are marvellously 

 active, jumping about as quickly as birds. In colour they are brown or grey. 



THE GALAGOS 



THE Galagos (Galago) are the only large group of Lemurs found outside Mada- 

 gascar ; they are confined to Africa, but widely spread there. They vary in size 

 from that of a Cat to that of a Rat, and have soft grey or brown fur, long bushy 

 tails, and large eyes. Their ears, however, are their most remarkable peculiarity, 

 being capable of folding up till they are hardly noticeable, although usually large 

 and conspicuous ; in this point the Galagos are unique among beasts. They are 

 nocturnal and extremely active, bounding for yards on their hind feet. They have 

 a strong appetite for animal food, and do well in captivity, so that some are gener- 

 ally on view in Zoological collections. 



