220 LEMURS. 



large round eyes, by wliicli thej' are enabled to see small objects in the darkest 

 nights, they are in the habit of stalking nocturnal moths and beetles when 

 settled on the boughs of trees, and then rushing upon and seizing them with a 

 final spring. 

 Forked Mouse- The largest, and at the same time one of the longest-known of 



Lemur. ^]^g mouse-lemurs is the species (C furcifer) represented on p. 218, 

 which takes its name from the black streak running down the midcUe of the back, 

 and dividing on the top of the head so as to form a distinct fork-like mark 

 between the eyes. The colour of the i-emainder of the body is grey, "ndth a black 

 tip to the tail. 



This species is found in the forests on both the east and west coasts of Mada- 

 gascar, though more abundant in the latter region. It is known to the natives as 

 the Walouvi : and is not one of those species that hibernate. 

 Murine Mouse- Tliis species (C. murinus) diflers from the preceding by the 



Lemur. absence of the dark stripe down the back. The general colour is a 

 pale reddish-gi"ey, with a broad whitish streak up the middle of the face : the 

 cheeks and under-pai-ts being also light-coloured, but the slender tail more brown. 

 The mouse -lemur represented in the figure on the opposite page, which is often 

 described as the myoxine mouse-lemur (C. myoxinus), appears to be very closelj' 

 allied to this species. 



coquerers This mouse-lemur (C. coquereli) is characterised by the soft and 



Mouse Lemur, ^voolh' nature of the fur, of which the prevailing colour is gi-ej-ish- 



brown, tinged with gold. It makes well-formed nests, composed of twigs, dead 



leaves, and grass, and having a diameter of some 18 inches. In this nest it sleeps 



during the day, to prowl forth at night in search of food. 



Brown Mouse- Another mouse-lemur (C. viilii), which is one of the hibernating 



Lemur. species, takes its name from M. Milius, a governor of Reunion, in the 

 first quarter of the present centurj-, by whom two of these creatures were sent to 

 Paris. They were described by Frederic Cuvier in the year 1821 as the maki nain, 

 or small lemur. The species is some 9 inches in length, exclusive of the long tail ; 

 and it is of a grej-ish-brown colour, with black whiskers, and white thi-oat and 

 under-parts : the fur being silkj-. The specimens sent to Paris throve for some 

 time, and became so tame that they were allowed to leave their cages. They 

 would, however, only play about if the apartment was kept perfectly dark and 

 stUl : and when this was done they could be heard frolicking in high glee. During 

 the day they rolled themselves uj) into a ball and slept. 

 Dwarf Mouse- The smallest of all is the dwarf mouse-lemur (C pusillus), not 



Lemur. unfrequently referred to as the Madagascar rat, on account of its 

 ha\'ing been described bj- Bufibn under the name of le rat de JIadaga.scar. The 

 head and body of this diminutive representative do not exceed 4 inches in length, 

 while the tail measures 6 inches. The prevailing colour is a pale grey ; the 

 chin and under-parts being pale j-ellow, and the outer surface of the ears light 

 brown, while a white streak runs up the nose and between the eyes. The eyes 

 themselves ai-e suri'ounded b}- black rims, giving to the face the appearance of 

 wearing a pair of spectacles. 



The dwarf mouse-lemur builds beautifully constructed nests of twigs, lined 



