GAL AGO S. 225 



ALLEN'S GAL AGO (Galago alleni). 



With the West African species we come to the first representative of a group 

 distinguished from the preceding one by the more rounded head, shorter muzzle, 

 and larger eyes, as well by the longer and more slender form of the foot. 



Allen's galago is found at Fernando Po and the Gabun, and is characterised 

 by the tail being thick and bushy, and also by the extreme length and slenderness 

 of its fingers and toes. The prevailing colour of the fur is blackish-brown, with 

 the forehead, rump, and the root of the tail grey, a tinge of red is on the limbs, the 

 tail is black, and a streak on the nose and all the under-parts are whitish. 



If we examine the skull of this species it will be noticed that the last 

 molar tooth on each side of the upper jaw is nearly equal in size to the tooth in 

 advance of it. This will be found an important point of distinction between 

 Allen's galago and all the remaining species, in which the last upper molar is much 

 smaller than the tooth in front of it. 



THE SENEGAL GALAGO (Galago senegalensis). 



The longest-known of all the galagos is the Senegal galago. It was originally 

 described so far back as the year 1796, from specimens brought from Senegambia, 

 which may be regarded as its headquarters. Subsequent discoveries have, however, 

 shown that a galago exists on the east side of Africa to the south of the Sudan, 

 which, although described as a distinct species under the name of the Sennaar 

 galago (G. sennariensis), is so closely allied to the Senegal galago that it may 

 probably be regarded as a mere local variety or race. Indeed, it is probable 

 that when we are fully acquainted with the zoology of the vast stretch of country 

 lying to the south of the Sahara desert, it will be found that this galago extends 

 right across Africa. 



In addition to the distinctive character of the upper molar teeth already 

 mentioned, the Senegal species has certain marked external features by which it 

 differs from Allen's galago. Thus, in the tail the hairs near the root are pressed 

 down, only those nearer the end spreading out on all sides, so that the whole tail 

 assumes a somewhat club-like form. Then, again, the fingers and toes are consider- 

 ably thicker and shorter than in Allen's galago. In colour the typical Senegal 

 galago is grey, with the under-parts and a streak on the nose white, and the tail, 

 hands, and feet blackish-brown. The Sennaar race appears to have a rather bluer 

 tinge to the fur, with a darker face, and black rings round the eyes ; while the 

 tail is described as being relatively longer. It is of comparatively small size, 

 and appears to be common in the forests of Senegal, and in those on the Blue 

 Nile in Kordofan, and the White Nile in Sennaar. Its chief food consists of 

 various kinds of insects ; but it is stated that it will also eat the gum of various 

 kinds of acacia, which we have already noticed as forming part of the diet of 

 the baboons of the Sudan. Its habits are said to be similar to those of the other 

 species. 



In South Africa the Senegal galago is represented by a species so nearly allied 

 to it that some writers have thought that the two forms are only varieties. This 



VOL. i. 15 



