690 PRIMATES 
under this name appear to form a transition between the true 
Lemurs and the Galagos. The genus was originally established by 
Geoffroy St. Hilaire in 15312 for the reception of three species 
only known at that time by drawings made in Madagascar by the 
traveller Commerson. Subsequent discoveries have brought to 
light several others that may be referred to it, including one or 
two which are sometimes considered as forming a genus apart under 
the name of Vicroretus. They are all small, some being less than 
a rat in ae long-tailed, and nocturnal in their habits. ‘One of the 
largest,  pureifer, is of a reddish-gray colour, and distinguished 
by ¢ a a median stripe on its back which divides on the “top of 
the head into two branches, one of which passes forwards above 
each eye. The most interesting peculiarity of these animals, a 
knowledge of which we owe to M. Grandidier, is that certain species 
(C. samati, C. glirsides, ('. milii, ete.) during the dry season coil them- 
selves up in holes of trees and pass Into a state of torpidity like 
that of the hibernating animals in the winter of northern climates. 
Before this takes place an immense deposit of fat accumulates 
upon certain parts of the body, especially upon the basal portion of 
the tail, which has then dimensions corresponding to that of the 
well-known tat-tailed Sheep of the Cape, but which by the time 
they emerze from their torpor has acquired its normal proportions. 
The smallest species, to which many names have been given 
(C2 pusillus, rufus, sinithi, ete.), lives among the small branches on 
the tops of the highest trees, feeding on fruit and insects, and 
making nests which resemble those of birds. 
Galago.\.—Last upper premolar with two large external cusps, 
and nearly equalling the first molar in size. Calecaneum about one- 
third the length of the tibia, and the navicular much longer than 
the cuboid. Vertebre: C7, D 13, L 6,8 3, C 22-26. Tail long, 
and generally bushy. Ears large, rounded, naked, and capable of 
being folded at the will of the animal. Mammze four, two pectoral 
and two inguinal. 
The Galagos differ from all the Lemuroids previously mentioned, 
inasmuch as they are inhabitants, not of Madagascar, but of the 
African continent, being widely distributed in the wooded districts 
from Senegambia in the west to Abyssinia in the east, and as far 
south as Natal. They pass the day in sleep, but are very active at 
night, feeding on fruit, insects, and small birds. When they 
descend to the ground they sit upright, and move about by jump- 
ing with their “hind legs, like jerboas and kangaroos. They are 
pretty little animals, varying in size from that of. a small cat to less 
than a rat, with large eves and ears, soft woolly fur, and long tails. 
There are several species, of which G. crass sicandutus, from Mozam- 
bique, is the largest. A similar species, or perhaps variety, from 
1 Geoffroy, v7. Encyclop, 2d ann. vol. i. p. 49 (1796). 
