266 CLASS MAMMALIA. 



not ignorant of the difficulties attendant on such an under- 

 taking, but we also know that there are men in existence, 

 capable of overcoming them ; men, marked out by destiny, 

 to enlarge the boundaries of science, to subvert the empire 

 of error, and to remove the heap of rubbish, with which 

 ignorance, prejudice, affectation of learning, or pains-taking 

 stupidity has clogged the portal of the temple of nature. 



The Baron's brother gives a description of a specimen of 

 this genus, in the " Menagerie Royale." It was young, 

 and a female. Its size was nearly that of the domestic 

 Cat, and its physiognomy remarkably like a Lemur's. The 

 fur, also, in its smoothness, softness, and thickness, bore 

 a considerable resemblance to that of the animal just men- 

 tioned. It was not so high, but had very much of the gait of 

 the Makis, especially behind, and without being, like them, 

 quadrumanous ; it walked on the sole and palm altogether. 

 Its movements were slow, and apparently difficult, except 

 when it sprung forward; its jumps were then extremely 

 rapid and energetic. Its large eyes, almost directed for- 

 ward, seemed to complete the resemblance ; but a detailed 

 examination of its organs, soon proved that resemblance to 

 be merely superficial. 



The Poto has five toes, without any thing like a distinct 

 thumb, on all the feet, armed with pointed claws. These 

 toes are united to the second phalanx by a membrane of 

 small extent, and their relation, in a decreasing proportion, 

 is as follows : the middle toe, the annular, the index, the 

 little toe, and thumb, and, in this respect, the fore and 

 hind feet exactly resemble. The sole and the palm are en- 

 tirely naked, furnished with thick tubercles, especially at 

 the base of the claws, and covered with a very soft skin. 

 On the hinder-feet, the thumb and index remaining almost 

 close together, seem to be separated, habitually, from the 

 three other toes. The tail is prehensile, and covered every 

 where equally with hairs. Its extremity is not naked, as 



