68 



THE HALF-MONKEYS OR LEMUROIDS. 



Pollen's 

 Account of the 



Makis. 



rusty red, and for a long time was considered a dis- 

 tinct species. 



Pollen was the first to give us a clear 

 and instructive picture of the Makis 

 in their wild state. They all inhabit 

 the forests of Madagascar, sleeping by day and 

 seeking their food at night in a lively and noisy 

 manner. They live in troops numbering from six 

 to twelve, and wander from one part of the forest to 

 another in search of dates. As soon as the sun sets 

 one may hear their loud wails. They are extremely 

 agile and take considerable leaps with great ease. 

 When pursued by Dogs, they mount to the top of a 

 tree, fix their eyes on the enemy, wag their tails and 

 grunt. But as soon as they perceive the hunter, 

 they make for the depths of the wood. 



MACACO, OE BLACK LEMUR. — -Although called the Black Lemur, it is only the male specimen of the 

 Macaco that is accurately described by this name, the female being of a light hue or russet color. It will be easily 

 seen, therefore, that the figure in the foreground is the male and the other the female of this species. The picture also 

 depicts the dog-like muzzle and long, hairy tail that are prominent in this family. (Lemur Macaco.) 



Their intellectual capacities are not any higher 

 than those of other Lemurs. Still they are usually 

 gentle and prepossessing. 

 Makis in the -Several specimens have been shipped 

 Captive to Europe and America and have with- 

 State. stood the strain of captivity for long 

 periods of time. One Vari, for instance, lived nine- 

 teen years in Paris. Usually they become tame and 

 familiar in a short time. They either employ their 

 hands in bearing food to their mouths, or they take 

 it up with their mouths without the aid of the hands. 

 When contented they purr, and in this manner often 

 sing themselves to sleep. 



Buffon had a male Maki in his possession, which 

 delighted him as much by its graceful agility as it 

 annoyed him by its uncleanliness and mischievous 

 disposition. It was extremely sensitive to cold and 

 damp and in winter always kept near the fire, some- 



times standing upright in order to secure greater 

 warmth from the flame. 



The Maki which lived in Paris was also very partial 

 to the fire. The poor, chilly southerner held not 

 only its hands but also its face so near to the blaze 

 that more than once its mustache was scorched. It 

 was cleanly in its habits and took very good care 

 not to soil its glossy fur. Its liveliness was only 

 equalled by its curiosity. Everything was investi- 

 gated by it, and in consequence it was forever spoil- 

 ing, dropping or spilling something. The creature 

 was kind to all who petted it and w : ould sometimes 

 jump into the lap of a stranger. 



THE LORIS. 



While all the Makis show a lively, active disposi- 

 tion, the Loris (Ste/iops) 

 are distinguished by the 

 opposite qualities. One 

 might call them the 

 Sloths of their class. 

 They are small, graceful 

 animals, devoid of tail, 

 having a large, round 

 head and slender limbs, 

 the hinder ones being a 

 little longer than the 

 fore-legs. The muzzle is 

 pointed, but short ; the 

 eyes are very large and 

 placed close together. 

 The index finger is very 

 much shortened, the 

 third finger very long 

 and the last finger shows 

 a long and sharp claw. 



There are but few va- 

 rieties of Loris, and they 

 are natives of India. The 

 habits and traits of this 

 animal in a wild state are 

 nearly totally unknown. 



A very dainty little 



animal is the Slender 



Loris (Stc?wps gracilis), 



which is barely as large 



as a Squirrel, being but 



ten inches long. It has 



large eyes, a pointed 



muzzle, a long fur, which 



is like plush to the touch, 



and is of a reddish 



brown above and gray or 



dull yellow below. Around the hazel eyes the fur 



takes a darker hue, contrasting with the light muzzle. 



This pretty little creature, named Tevangu and 



Una Happolava by the natives, inhabits the south 



of India and Ceylon. It sleeps all day in hollow 



tree trunks and makes its appearance in the evening. 



It has never been observed in its wild state. 



Habits of a To my great surprise and joy I found 



Captive a living Slender Loris in the precincts 



Slender Loris. f a wandering zoological garden. The 



delicate creature had come to Europe with three 



others about four years before, and had borne not 



only the voyage to Europe but the captivity of the 



colder climate. I purchased the animal at a high 



price, in order to have a picture of the species from 



nature and to study it, and gave it the best of care. 



In the day-time the Slender Loris lies or rather 



hangs from a perch in its cage and sleeps, without 



