ORDER CHIROPTERA— GENUS GALEOPITHECUS. 



The Chiroptera have still some affinities to the Quadrumana, par 

 four verge pendante, and in their mammae being placed upon the 

 breast. Their distinguishing feature consists in a fold of skin aris- 

 ing from the sides of the neck, extending along their four feet and 

 their fingers, which sustains them in the air, and even permits such 

 of them to fly as have their hands sufficiently developed for that pur- 

 pose. This arrangement requires strong clavicles and scapulae, in 

 order that their shoulder may have the requisite solidity ; but it is 



incompatible with the rotation of the fore-arm, which would have en- 

 feebled the force of the jirk necessary for flying. 



These animals have four large canines, but the number of their 

 incisors [and molars] varies. For a long time they have composed 

 two genera, [through the progress of science now become two 

 tribes,] according to the extent of their organs of flight ; but the 

 second requires many additional subdivisions. 



TRIBE I. GALEOPITHECUS— VAULTING CATS. 



The Galeopitheci differ from the other tribe with which they are 

 associated in this respect, that the fingers of their anterior ex- 

 tremities, which are all supplied with sharp claws, are not length- 

 ened out, but are like those of their posterior extremities ; so that 

 the membrane, filling up the interval between them, and extending 

 to the sides of the tail, can do little more than discharge the office 

 of a parachute. Their canines are indented and short, like their 

 molars. Above they have two incisors, which are also indented, 

 and widely separated from each other; in the lower jaw they have six, 

 deeply grooved or pectinated, a structure which is quite peculiar to 

 themselves. These animals live upon trees, in the Indian Archipelago, 

 and pursue Insects, and perhaps Birds : were we to judge from the 

 wasting which their teeth undergo through age, we should infer 

 that they also lived upon fruits. Their ccecum is large. 



The Flying, or, more properly, Vaulting Cat or Lemur, forms the soli- 

 tary genus of this tribe, which in many respects constitutes a connect- 

 ing link between the Lemurs we have left, and the Bats. It ha9 not 

 the hands of the Quadrumana, and differs in other striking particulars. 

 It is distinguished, again, from the Bats, in that in these latter there is not 

 a fold 01 skin between the toes, whilst the hind-feet of the Galeopitheci are 

 palmated, as are their fore-feet. Besides, the alar membranes of the Bats do 

 not commence before the shoulders, whilst those of the Vaulting Lemurs 

 proceed from the neck, at the angle of the jaw. Lastly, the toes of the 

 anterior extremity, in the Galeopitheci, are not much larger than those of 

 the posterior, whilst in the Bats the fingers are prolonged to five or six 

 times the length of their toes. The Vaulting Lemur uses its hind-legs 

 a good deal like other Quadrupeds, and its fingers and toes are nearly of 

 the same relative length as in the Monkeys. The flying membrane of the 

 Galeopithecus is not naked, as is common in Bats, but covered on both 

 sides with fine and soft hair like that of the Mole. The females have 

 two prominent mammae, which are pectoral. The dental apparatus clearly 

 manifests that these animals are fnigivorous, though it is also alleged they 

 can eat flesh and insects, like the Hedgehog. 



GENUS I. GALEOPITHECUS— VAULTING LEMURS. 



GENERIC CHARACTERS. 



The Hands and Feet moderately developed, also the Toes ; all sup- 

 plied with strong and crooked Nails. 



The Dental Formula 2 | 2 + C +C F+4)M = lg =34j 

 I3+C-K1 F+4)M 18 



The Vaulting Membrane covered with hair both above and beneath. 



The Mammae two. Pectoral. 



Habitat, the Indian Archipelago. 



GALEOPITHECUS RUFUS.— THE RED VAULTING LEMUR. 



Syn. Galeopithecus volans Shaw, Gen. Zool. 



Lemur volans. — Linn. Gmel. I. 44. 



Felis volans ternatea Seb. Thes. 



Colugo and Oleck. — Native names. 



Lemur volans. — Pallas, Act. Ac. Sc. Pet. 1780. 

 Icon. Galeopithecus rufus. — Audeb. des Galeop. pi. 1. 



Galeopithecus rufus. — Griffith's Cuvier, II. 158. 



Galeopithecus variegatus, (Geoffroy.) — Audeb. des Galeop. pi. 2. 



Lemur volans Schreb. XLIIL 



Feus volans ternatea.— Seb. Mus. tab. 58. 



specific characters. 



The Fur is reddish-grey above, reddish below, and variegated and 

 spotted with different coloured greys when the animal is young. 

 Inhabits the Moluccas and Indian Archipelago. 



The Red Vaulting Lemur is about the size of a Cat. Its head re- 

 sembles that of the Lemurs, but the muzzle is more arched ; its eyes are 

 large, and at a consideiable distance from each other ; the ears are small, 

 naked, oval, and black ; the nose also is black. The anterior extremities 

 are long, and very slender ; the fore-arm is more clothed with hair than 

 the arm ; the sole of the foot is naked and black ; the toes are about an 

 inch long, flattened on the sides, and united by a membrane ; the nails are 

 curved into a half circle, and are strong, much compressed, and pointed. 

 They somewhat resemble those of the Cat, and, as in this animal, appear to 

 be habitually concealed. In the posterior extremities the thigh is more clothed 

 than the leg; the toes and nails are like those already described. The tail 

 is not so long as the body and head taken together. The membrane rises 

 from under the chin, proceeds to the nails of the anterior extremity, then 

 to those of the posterior, and unites at the extremity of the tail. The 

 robe which covers the head, back, and upper part of the membrane, is 

 smooth, and of a deep and lively red colour ; that of the chest, abdomen, 

 and arm, is brighter and rough. The teeth are said to be anomalous, 

 and are variously described by authors. We subjoin that of M. Desmou- 

 lins : — There are six incisors in the lower jaw, the intermediate four of 

 which are much sloped ; the two central have eight pectinated furrows, 

 the next nine, and the third five ; the external are both less sloped and 

 less indented. The next tooth resembles a molar on its posterior surface ; 

 it has also two distinct roots, but has a triangular point in front. To this 

 succeeds another, which before its principal projection has one small heel, 

 and behind it three, disposed triangularly. Four molars succeed, the first 

 of which is twice the length of the others. In the upper jaw there are 

 also five molars, the four last of which very much resemble each other ; 

 the one anterior to these has two principal points in a series, and is very 

 strong at its base ; the tooth before this (answering to the canine) is very 

 long, triangular, and has three distinct indentations. In the intermaxillary 

 heme there are two teeth, the posterior of wdiich resembles the canine 

 which succeeds it. These incisors are early and frequently lost. 



These animals almost constantly reside on trees, where they hang dur- 

 ing the day, suspended by their hind-legs from the branches ; they move 

 with difficulty on the earth's surface; but climb trees with surprising fa- 

 cility, and spring from one to the other, supported, as by a parachute, in 

 their passage by the membrane spread round their body. They are cre- 

 pusculous, and active only during the twilight. 



The Colugo was first described by Bontius in his History of Java. He 

 informs us it is found in Guzerat, is gregarious, and feeds chiefly on fruits. 

 Camelli, in his enumeration of the animals of the Philippine Islands, pub- 

 lished by Petiver in the Philosophic Transactions, says, its length is three 

 spans, and that the young adhere to the teats of the parent, even in fly- 

 ing, by their mouth and claws. Their flesh is said to have a disagreeable 

 odour, but, notwithstanding, it is eaten by many of the islanders with much 

 relish. 



doubtful species. 



1. Galeopithecus variegatus (Audeb. des Galeop. pi. 2 Geoffroy, 



in Mag. Encycl. Desm. No. 134) appears to be nothing more than the 

 young of the preceding. 



2. Galeopithecus Ternatensis, (Seba, Mus. tab. 58, Geoffroy.) This 

 species was introduced into our catalogues by M. Geoffroy, upon the 

 imperfect description of Seba. It was observed in Ternate, one of the 

 Moluccas. 



