CH. IV] LEMURS. 187 



been found elsewhere, and Mr Benham's 1 peculiar new- 

 genus Sparganophilus, found in the Thames, is so far as 

 we know limited to that river. There are one or two 

 other examples of Oligochseta which have not been met 

 with outside of the British islands. 



There are thus a fair number of animals which are 

 confined to the British islands ; but there are no marked 

 generic (except the worm Sparganophilus) or family types ; 

 nor is the proportion of peculiar forms large as compared 

 with that of the animals which are also found upon the 

 continent of Europe. But this is perfectly in harmony 

 with the geological history of these islands, which teaches 

 us that the severance from the continent of Europe is, 

 geologically speaking, an event of yesterday. 



The Fauna of Madagascar. 



Madagascar is a large island about twice the length of 

 England, and as broad nearly all through as the widest 

 part of England. It is situated about 250 miles from 

 Africa. It is largely forest covered ; but there are also in 

 the central granite plateau moors. The fauna is both 

 rich and peculiar. Among the Mammals the most 

 characteristic forms are the Lemurs. Of this group of 

 mammals there are no less than nine genera, viz. Indris, 

 Propithecus, Avahis, Hapalemur, Lepilemur, Lemur, 

 Cheirogaleus, Microcebus, and Ghiromys, absolutely con- 

 fined to the island. These genera contain all belonging 

 to the subfamilies Chiromyidae, Lemurinae, and Propi- 

 1 Quart. Journ. Micr. Sci. Vol. xxxiv. 



