VII MONKEYS- AFFINITIES AND DISTRIBUTION 179 



Madagascar also contains the largest and handsomest 

 of the lemurs, consisting of several genera and ten or 

 twelve species, one of the best known being the Ring- 

 tailed lemur {Lemur catted, which is often brought to this 



Fio. 43.— RING-TAILED LEMUR {Lemuv catto). 



country, and is a very delightful pet. It has, however, 

 the habit of springing suddenly on to the shoulders of 

 friends or strangers in a rather alarming manner. A few 

 years ago a specimen (of whose existence near us I was 

 not aware) walked quietly into my garden, and showing 



N 2 



