356 VERTEBRATE ANIMALS. 



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

 hind-limbs can be opposed to the other toes, so that the hind-feet 

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

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

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

 thumb of the human hand can be " opposed " to any of the fin- 

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

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

 animal Isecomes truly four-handed or "quadrumanous." 



The Quadrumana are divided into three very natural sections, 

 separated from one another both by their anatomical characters 

 and their geographical distribution. 



Section A. Strepsirhina. — 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. 261.— Side-view of the-skull of a Lemuroid (Nycticebus or Stenops tardigradus), 

 (After Giebel.) 



mana of this section are chiefly referable to Madagascar as their 

 geographical centre, but they spread from Madagascar westwards 

 into Africa, and e:istwards to the Indian Archipelago. In this 

 family are the Aye-aye {Cheiromys), the Loria (^Nycticehidce), and 

 the Lemurs {Lemuridce). 



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

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

 from permanent pulps, like those of Rodents, and there are no 

 canines. The Loris and Slow Lemurs have either no tail or a 

 rudimentary one, and they are confined to Southern Asia, and the 

 great islands of the Indian Archipelago. The true Lemui-s (fig. 261) 

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

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

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

 pointed claw. 



tSeutioii B. Platyi-Jdiia. — This section includes those monkeys in 



