2 3 



LEMURS. 



they soon become docile. They are very susceptible to cold, and when so affected 

 are apt to be fractious and petulant. 



There is an account of a tame loris in London's Magazine of Natural History. 

 After mentioning that the animal was especially fond of plantains, the writer observes 

 that it was also partial to small birds, which, " when put into his cage, he kills speedily ; 

 and, plucking the feathers off with the skill of a poulterer, soon lodges the carcase in 

 his stomach. He eats the bones as well as the flesh ; and though birds, and mice 

 perhaps, are his favourite food, he eats other meat very readily, especially when 



THE SLENDER LORIS, IN WAKING AND SLEEPING POSTURE. 



quite fresh ; if boiled, or otherwise cooked, he will not taste it. He prefers veal to 

 all other kinds of butcher's meat ; eggs, also, he is fond of, and sugar is especially 

 grateful to his palate ; he likewise eats gum-arabic. As flesh is not always to be 

 had quite fresh (the only state in which it is acceptable to him), he has for some 

 time past been fed upon bread sopped in water, and sprinkled with sugar ; this he 

 eats readily, and seems to relish much. . . . When food is presented to him, if 

 hungry, he seizes it with both hands, and, letting go with his right, holds it with 

 his left all the time he is eating. Frequently, when feeding, he grasps the bars in 

 the upper part of his cage with his hind paws, and hangs inverted, appearing 

 very much intent upon the food he holds in his left hand. He is exceedingly fond 

 of oranges ; but, when they are at all hard, he seems very much puzzled how to 



