MONKEYS. 



435 



Intermediate in structure between the Bats and the lowest 

 forms of Monkeys is a very remarkable race of animals, gene- 

 rally known by the name of 



The Plying Cats (Galeopitheais)* These differ from the bats in many 

 important particulars : the fingers of their hands are not more elongated than 

 those of their feet, so that the fold of skin which occupies the interval between 

 the fore and hind legs can do little else than act as a parachute, enabling 

 these creatures to take long sweeping leaps from tree to tree. These animals 

 are found in the Indian Archipelago. They inhabit lofty trees in dark woods, 

 to -which they cling with all four limbs, and climb easily by means of their 

 claws. During the day-time they suspend themselves like bats from the 

 branches, with the head downwards, but at night they rouse themselves, and 

 make an active search for food, which consists of fruits, insects, eggs, birds, 

 &c. They are very inoffensive, and generally produce two young ones at a 

 birth. 



As examples of those Quadrumana which in their general aspect 

 most nearly resemble ordinary Quadrupeds may be mentioned 



FIG. 482. WHITE-FRONTED LEMUR. 



The Fox-headed Monkeys (Lemur}. The animals belonging t& this 

 family have thumbs both upon the fore and hind limbs, which are well de- 

 veloped, and opposable to the other fingers ; but they differ from the monkeys 



ya\er], galee, a iveasel ; 



, pithecos, an ape. 



282 



