THE SLOW-PACED LEMUR. 22.5 



Manners of a tarue lemur. 



but bathed him twice a week in water accommo- 

 dated to the seasons, and whom he clearly dis- 

 tinguished from others, he was at all times grate- 

 ful; but when I disturbed him in winter he was 

 generally indignant, and seemed to reproach me 

 with the uneasiness he felt, though no possible 

 precautions had been omitted to keep him in a 

 proper degree of warmth. At all times he was 

 pleased with being stroked on the head and 

 throat, and frequently suffered me to touch his 

 extremely sharp teeth; but his temper was al- 

 ways quick, and when unseasonably disturbed, 

 he expressed a little resentment, by an obscure 

 murmur, like that of a squirrel ; or a greater de- 

 gree of displeasure by a peevish cry, especially 

 in winter, when he was often as fierce, on being 

 much importuned, as any beast of the woods. 



" From half an hour after sun-rise to half an 

 hour after sun-set, he slept without intermission, 

 rolled up like a hedgehog ; and as soon as he 

 awoke, he began licking and dressing himself 

 like a cat; an operation which the flexibility of 

 liis neck and limbs enabled him to perform very 

 completely : he was then ready for a slight break- 

 fast, after which he commonly took a short nap ; 

 but when the sun was quite set he recovered all 

 his vivacity. 



<( His ordinary food was the sweet fruit of Tri- 

 pura; plantains always, and mangoes during the 

 season; but he refused peaches, and was not 

 fond of mulberries nor even of guaiavas : milk he 



yo, v. Q, F 



