THE TRUE LEMURS. fhe 
On the fore-arm above the,wrist-joint there is, in both sexes, a 
comb-like bony outgrowth (becoming in old males a prominent 
spur) continuous with the palm of the hand by means of a nar- 
row strip of black, hairless skin; near it there is a cluster of 
long stiff hairs over an underlying sweat-gland, the function of 
which is still unknown. 
Distribution—This species inhabits chiefly the rocky and 
treeless regions of the south and south-western borders of the 
Betsileo province of Madagascar. It is, however, not entirely 
confined to these treeless districts, for it has been recorded as 
occurring in bands of some numbers in the neighbouring forest 
regions. 
Habits—The Ring-tailed Lemur—one of the handsomest 
species of the genus and the only one in which the tail is not 
uniformly coloured—is of gentle manners, active, and graceful. 
According to the notes of the Rev. G. A. Shaw, as recorded in a 
paper in the Zoological Society’s “Proceedings,” it lives among 
the rocks where a few stunted trees occur, and over this rocky 
ground it can easily travel, in places where it is impossible for 
the natives, although bare-footed, to follow it. The palms of 
its hands and feet are smooth and leather-like, enabling the 
animal to apply them firmly to the wet rocks. This Lemur 
feeds on bananas and wild figs. In the winter its chief suste- 
nance consists of the prickly-pear, peeling off the spiny skin 
with its long upper canines. According to the same observer, 
this Lemur rarely drinks water; indeed, it is said that the 
species living in the west of Madagascar, including two kinds 
of White Lemur, subsist without water, while those on the east 
coast invariably drink water with their meals. When fighting, 
the Ring-tailed Lemur scratches vigorously and strikes out 
with its hands. 
