LEMURS '1 253 



been aot inappropriately named the " Bush- 

 baby," by reason of the resemblance of its cry 

 to that of a newly-born infant feeling in need of 

 the ministrations of its nurse. The lemur is 

 extraordinarily soft and light, the fine, bluish- 

 grey hair reminding one irresistibly of that of the 

 chinchilla without the latter' s pronounced grey- 

 ness. Nothing could exceed the dignified sedate- 

 ness of these small creatures, nor the daintiness of 

 their every movement. They can leap con- 

 siderable distances in pursuit of moths and other 

 insects, alighting with a noiseless lightness in- 

 credible in a creature unprovided with wings. 

 One of these small animals which I possessed for 

 a long time developed quite a touching tameness, 

 and the only flaw in its otherwise irreproachable 

 conduct was the inconsiderate manner with which 

 it would occasionally leap from some high vantage 

 ground upon the fez or shoulders of the native 

 servants as they brought in afternoon tea. This 

 arose from the leaper's fondness for milk, which he 

 understood would now make its appearance ; but 

 his impatience was on one occasion attended by 

 most serious consequences, the nerve-shattered 

 attendant upon whom he alighted dropping the 

 tea-tray with dire consequences. 



In a wild state the lemurs spend most of their 

 time in the trees. They are rarely seen moving 

 owing to their nocturnal habits. During the 

 night the small family leave their hollow tree- 

 trunk, or other place of refuge, and move leisurely 

 through the branches in search of the leaves which 

 they particularly affect, and the resinous gum 



