Order 2. 



QUADETBI^L^TA. 



51 



All are restlessly active, and extremely rapid in tlieir movements ; also remarkably short-tempered, bristling 

 ■with fury when enraged, and putting on a most formidable appearance, considering their size. They are so 

 cleanly, that any appearance of dirt about their habitations causes them to fret ; and are exceedingly sensitive of 

 damp : but, if duly attended to, are easily kept in captivity. 



The Platyrrhini -were very properly ranged by Buffon in two great natural divisions, named by 

 him Sapajous and Sagouixs ; to the latter of which the Ouistitis are strictly referable, to judge from 

 the aggregate of their conformation. We cannot but think that Cuvier has, in this rare instance, 

 attached undue importance to the number of molar teeth, in so decidedly separating the Ouistitis from 

 the other small American Quadrumana.'] 



The Lemurs, (Lemur, Linn.), 

 [Strepsirrhini, Geo/.'], — 



Comprehend, according to Linnseus, all the Quadrumana which have [supposed] incisors in either 

 jaw differing in number from four, or at least otherwise directed than in the Monkeys. This 



negative character could not fail to em- 

 brace very dilferent lieings, while it did 

 not vmite those which should range to- 

 gether. M. Geoffroy has established 

 several better characterized divisions in 

 th'.s genus. The four tlmmbs of these 

 animals are well developed and oppos- 

 able, and the first hind finger is armed 

 with a raised and pointed claw (fig. 4), 

 all the other nails being flat, Theh cover- 

 ing is woolly; and their teeth begin to 

 exhibit sharp tubercles, catching in each 

 other, as in the Lisectivora. [These 

 animals have been described to difler 

 from all other Mammalia in the circum- 

 stance of their upper canines locking 

 outside or before the lower : but we have 

 just discovered that their true inferior canmes have always hitherto been mistaken for ad- 

 ditional incisors, which they resemble in general aspect and direction ; while the succeeding 

 tooth, which from its size and appearance has been supposed to be the lower canine, is in 

 reahty the first false molar ; (as will readily appear on opposing the successive teeth of both 

 jaws). In the genus Taislus, however, the true canine assumes more of its ordinary form ; 

 and the same is observable of the first false molar in Microcebus* The grinding motion of 

 the lower jaw is exceechngly reduced.] 



The Lemurs, properly so called (Lemur, as restricted [Prosimta, Briss.]), — 

 Have six [four] lower incisors, compressed, and slanting forwards [as are also the canines] ; four in 

 the upper jaw, which are straight, those intermediate being separated from each other ; trenchant 

 [upper] canines ; six molars on each side above, and six belowf; the ears small. They are very 

 nimble animals, and have been designated Fox-nosed Monkeys, from their pointed heads. They 

 subsist on fruits. Their species are veiy numerous, and inhabit only the island of Madagascar, where 

 they appear to replace the Monkey-tribe, which, it is said, do not exist there. They diifer but slightly 

 among themselves, except in colour. 



[Tliirteen, at least, have been ascertained definitively ; one of the longest known of which is the Macaco of 

 Buffon, or the Ring-tailed Lemur (i. ccitia, Lin.), which is ash-grey, the tail annulated black and white. Others 

 are black, or rufous, with sometimes ^\hite ; and one beautiful species, the Rufled Lemur (i. macaco, \A\\.), is 



Fig. 4.— Hand and Foot of Lemur 



* An approach to this deviation on the part of tlie inferior Cdoine is 

 noticeitbU in the adult Mandrill,— £o. 



t The latter statement chances to be correct, but, as iutended 

 would have been enoncou? -En, 



