THE SLOW-PACED LORIS. 



107 



The SLOW-PACED LORIS, or KUKANG, is very similar in its habits to the animal just 

 mentioned, but differs from it in size, color, and several parts of its form. 



The fur is of a texture rather more woolly than that of the Slender Loris, and its 

 color has something of a chestnut tinge running through it, although some specimens 

 are nearly as gray as the Slender Loris. As may be seen from the engraving, a dark 

 stripe surrounds the eyes, ears, and back of the head, reaching to the corners of the 

 mouth. From thence it runs along the entire length of the spine. The color of this 

 dark band is a deep chestnut. It is rather larger than the preceding animal, being a 

 little more than a foot in length. 



In the formation of these creatures some very curious structures are found, among 

 which is the singular grouping of arteries and veins in the limbs. 



Instead of the usual tree-like mode in which the limbs of most animals are supplied 

 with blood, one large trunk-vessel entering the limb, and then branching off into 

 numerous subdivisions, the limbs of the Loris are furnished with blood upon a strangely 

 modified system. The arteries and veins as they enter and leave the limbs, are sudden- 



KUKANG, OR SLOW -PACED LORlS.-Nyctlcebus Javanlcus. 



ly divided into a great number of cylindrical vessels, lying close to each other for some 

 distance, and giving off their tubes to the different parts of the limb. It is possible 

 that to this formation may be owing the power of silent movement and slow patience 

 which has been mentioned as the property of these monkeys, for a very similar structure 

 is found to exist in the sloth. 



The tongue of the Loris is aided in its task by a plate of cartilage, by which it is sup- 

 ported, and which is, indeed, an enlargement of the tendinous band that is found under 

 the root of the tongue. It is much thicker at its base than at the extremity, which is 

 so deeply notched that it seems to have been slit with a knife. It is so conspicuous an 

 organ, that it has been often described as a second tongue. The throat and vocal 

 organs seem to be but little developed, as is consistent with the habits of an animal 

 whose very subsistence depends upon its silence. Excepting when irritated, it seldom 

 or never utters a sound ; and even then, its vocal powers seem to be limited to a little 

 monotonous plaintive cry. 



In captivity, this Loris appears to be tolerably omnivorous, eating both animal and 



