ORDER QUADRUMANA. 331 



organs of sense, which are of the same size. The hind 

 feet are likewise much longer than the fore. This dispro- 

 portion is not the result of any essential change in the con- 

 stituent parts of the foot ; for in the Galago as well 

 as in other Quadrumana, the tarsus is composed of nine 

 small bones, and the metatarsus of five; two of the first, the 

 scaphoid and the calcaneum, are singularly prolonged : but 

 no other change results in the relations and use of the 

 other bones. 



The Galago seems to be insectivorous, and from the large- 

 ness of the eyes probably pursues his prey by night. The 

 couch of the ear is large, membranous, and naked, and 

 the consequent sensibility of this organ doubtless as- 

 sists the animal greatly in distinguishing his prey. The 

 inequality of the extremities enables him to jump with 

 extreme agility. 



The Galagos (according to Adanson) have much of the 

 manners of monkeys and squirrels. They are in general 

 gentle, perch constantly on the branches of trees, where they 

 catch insects with their hands and devour them quickly. 

 They make nests in the branches of trees, and cover a 

 bed with grass and leaves for their little ones. With the 

 natives of Senegal they are an article of food. 



In three forests in the deserts of Sahara, consisting of 

 gum-trees, from their abounding in that tree which pro- 

 duces the gum-senegal, the Galagos are constantly found, 

 and brought to Europeans by the Moors who trade towards 

 the coast. They call them the animal of the Gum. Of this 

 product the Galagos eat abundantly, but their taste for in- 

 sects is more decided. 



When they sleep the Galagos close their ears, which are 

 then folded up, so as to be scarcely visible, but on the least 

 noise they open again. This is a property also of many of 

 the bats. The Galago is about seven inches long, the tail 

 about nine. 



