220 LEMURS. 



large round eyes, by which they are enabled to see small objects in the darkest 

 nights, they are in the habit of stalking nocturnal moths and beetles when 

 settled on the boughs of trees, and then rushing upon and seizing them with a 

 final spring. 



Forked Mouse- The largest, and at the same time one of the longest-known of 



Lemur. the mouse-lemurs is the species (G. furcifer) represented on p. 218, 

 which takes its name from the black streak running down the middle of the back, 

 and dividing on the top of the head so as to form a distinct fork-like mark 

 between the eyes. The colour of the remainder of the body is grey, with a black 

 tip to the tail. 



This species is found in the forests on both the east and west coasts of Mada- 

 gascar, though more abundant in the latter region. It is known to the natives as 

 the Walouvi ; and is not one of those species that hibernate. 



Murine Mouse- This species (G. mwrinus) differs from the preceding by the 

 Lemur. absence of the dark stripe down the back. The general colour is a 

 pale reddish-grey, with a broad whitish streak up the middle of the face; the 

 cheeks and under-parts being also light-coloured, but the slender tail more brown. 

 The mouse -lemur represented in the figure on the opposite page, which is often 

 described as the myoxine mouse-lemur (G. myoxinus), appears to be very closely 

 allied to this species. 



Coquerei's This mouse-lemur (G. coquereli) is characterised by the soft and 



Mouse-Lemur. WO olly nature of the fur, of which the prevailing colour is greyish- 

 brown, tinged with gold. It makes well-formed nests, composed of twigs, dead 

 leaves, and grass, and having a diameter of some 18 inches. In this nest it sleeps 

 during the day, to prowl forth at night in search of food. 



Brown Mouse- Another mouse-lemur (G. milii), which is one of the hibernating 



Lemur. species, takes its name from M. Milius, a governor of Reunion, in the 

 first quarter of the present century, by whom two of these creatures were sent to 

 Paris. They were described by Frederic Cuvier in the year 1821 as the maki nain, 

 or small lemur. The species is some 9 inches in length, exclusive of the long tail ; 

 and it is of a greyish-brown colour, with black whiskers, and white throat and 

 under-parts; the fur being silky. The specimens sent to Paris throve for some 

 time, and became so tame that they were allowed to leave their cages. They 

 would, however, only play about if the apartment was kept perfectly dark and 

 still ; and when this was done they could be heard frolicking in high glee. During 

 the day they rolled themselves up into a ball and slept. 



Dwarf Mouse- The smallest of all is the dwarf mouse-lemur (G. pusillus), not 



Lemur. unfrequently referred to as the Madagascar rat, on account of its 

 having been described by Buffbn under the name of le rat de Madagascar. The 

 head and body of this diminutive representative do not exceed 4 inches in length, 

 while the tail measures 6 inches. The prevailing colour is a pale grey; the 

 chin and under-parts being pale yellow, and the outer surface of the ears light 

 brown, while a white streak runs up the nose and between the eyes. The eyes 

 themselves are surrounded by black rims, giving to the face the appearance of 

 wearing a pair of spectacles. 



The dwarf mouse-lemur builds beautifully constructed nests of twigs, lined 



