356 



VEIiTEIiltATE ANIMALS. 



teristic of this order is, that the innermost toe (great toe) of the 

 hind-limbs can be opposed to tlie other toes, so tliat tlie hind-feet 

 become prehensile hands. The term " opposed " simply implies that 

 the toe can be so adjusted as regards tlie extremities of the other 

 toes, that any object can be giasped between them, just as the 

 thumb of the human hand can be "opjjosed" to any of the lin- 

 gers. The fore-feet may be destitute of a thumb, but when this is 

 present, it, too, is generally opposaljle to the other digits, so that the 

 animal Ijeeomes truly four-handed or "quadrumanous." 



The Qaiidi-uniana are divided into three very natural sections, 

 separated from one another both by their anatomical characters 

 and their geographical distribution. 



Section A. /SVrep.siV/(('/i;f.— Characterised by having the nostrils 

 twisted or curved, and placed at the end of the nose, whilst the 

 second toe of the hind-feet is furnished with a claw. The Quadru- 



Fig. 2fU.— ^?i.lp-view of till? skull nf a Lemnrnid (Njtcticchvfi or Sfnwpf! tnr(lifirn<hix). 

 (After Gieliel.) 



maiia of this section .'ire chiefly referaljle to Madagascar as their 

 geographical centre, Ijut they spread from Madagascar westwards 

 into Africa, and eastwards to the Indian Archipelago. In this 

 family are the Aye-aye {Cheirom>/.i\ the Loris (.Vi/eticehidie), and 

 the Lemurs (Lemiirida-). 



The Aye-aye is confined to Madagascar, and is not unlike a large 

 squirrel in ajijiearance, having a long bushy tail. The incisors grow 

 from jiermanent puljis, like tliDse of Rodents, and there are no 

 canines. The Loris and Slow la'iiinrs have either no tail or a 

 rudimentary one, and they ,(rc conlined to Southein Asia, and the 

 great ishuids of the Indian Archi|ielago. The true Lemurs (tig. 2()1) 

 are principally natives of Madagascar, iinil are often spoken of as 

 " Madagascar cats." They have a soft, woolly fur, and a long tail, 

 which is ]irehensile. The second toe of the hind-foot has a long and 

 pointed i-law. 



Sectiiin 71. J'/iM'i/r/ii'iiii.—-'T\\\; .^.(ctidU inchides those monkevs in 



