38 VERTEBRATA. MAMMALIA. 



by Cuvier after the Bats seems properly to belong 

 to the Quadrumana, and to be the link which con- 

 nects the two together. It is 



Galeopithecus,* the Flying Lemur. 



Mr. Swainson observes of it, " to give its most 

 striking character in a few words, it is a Lemur, with 

 the limbs connected by a bat-like membrane, or sur- 

 rounded by a thin skin which they support, as the 

 frame-work of an umbrella supports its covering. 

 By this singular structure the animal is supported 

 in the air, but without the power, like the Bats, of 

 sustaining a continued flight." Like them, however, 

 it appears that they are nocturnal animals, feeding 

 on insects ; and they possess the same habit of sus- 

 pending themselves by the hind claws with the head 

 downwards during repose. Two species are recog- 

 nised 6r. Temminckii, and G. Philippinensis, both 

 inhabitants of the Indian Archipelago. 



* rA^, gale, a weasel, and vttnxos, pithecos, an ape. 



