22 LEMURS. 



specimen of the dog-faced baboon, which exhibited an extra- 

 ordinary resemblance to humanity in form, appearance, and 

 manners 5 the right arm especially might have been, at first 

 sight, mistaken for that of a brawny blacksmith or pugilist, had 

 it not been for its hairy covering, and the somewhat unusual 

 length of the fingers. His attentions to a dog which used to 

 visit his cage, were in the best style of dignified patronage ; nor 

 did the dog recognise any difference between the pat of his hand 

 and that of a man. Like many dignified folks, however, his 

 habits were not very refined, and his greatest enjoyment con- 

 sisted in immoderate potations of porter. Indeed, his porter 

 carried him to his bier, for he died from excessive drinking, in 

 the year 18 C 28. 



LEMURS. 



Lemurs are chiefly found in the island of Madagascar, where 

 they appear to be the representatives, or substitutes, of the 

 monkey tribe. From their pointed heads and monkey-like ap- 

 pearance they have been called Fox-nosed Monkeys. " Their hands 

 and feet are," says Mr. E. T. Bennett, " equally well-formed for 

 grasping with those of the monkeys, to which they approximate 

 very closely in the more essential points of their internal struc- 

 ture 5 the forefingers of the posterior extremities have long 

 subulate claws, while the nails of all the other fingers are flat ; 

 their eyes are large and directed forwards ; and their nostrils 

 terminate in a naked muzzle. None of the group exceed two 

 feet and a half in length exclusive of the tail ; and the greater 

 number of them are scarcely more than half that size." 



Not much is known of their habits in a natural state. They 

 are said to congregate in great numbers upon the trees, and to 

 subsist on fruits and insects. In captivity they are observed 

 to be exceedingly tame, fond of being noticed, and constantly 



