ATES, MONA'EYS, AND LEMURS. 



29 



contains the largest existing representatives of the group, is characterised 

 by possessing thirty teeth in the adulL, by the length of the 

 hind-limbs, the normal structure of the ankle-joint, the large Endrlna 



size of the opposable great-toe, and the union of the other (Indris). 



toes by a web which extends as far as the end of their first 

 joints. In the female two teats are on the breast. 



The endrina {Indris brevicavdata), which is the sole representative of its 

 genus, is the largest of the living lemurs, measuring about two feet in leno-th. 

 It may be easily recognised by its rudimental tail, large ears, and moderately 

 elongated muzzle ; its coloration being usually black with whitish spots and 

 patches, but in some cases almost or entirelj' white. Like the sifakas, this 

 lemur is diurnal in its habits. 



Nearly allied to the last are the three species of sifakas, easily recognised 

 by the long tail, the rather short muzzle, and the partial con- 

 cealment of the ears by the fur. The species are extremely Sifakas 

 variable in coloration, and while some inhabit the dense (Propilhecus). 

 forests on the eastern side of Madagascar, others frequent 

 the sparsely wooded, arid tracks on the west. Writing of the habits of the 

 sifakas, Mr. Foster observes that " they live in companies of six or eight, 

 and are very gentle and inoffensive animals, wearing always a most melan- 

 choly expression, and, as a rule, being morose, inactive, and more silent than 

 other lemurs. They rarely live long in captivity. In their native state they 

 are most alert in the morning and evening, as during the heat of the day 

 they conceal themselves amid the foliage of the trees. When asleep or in 

 repose, the head is dropped on the chest and buried beneath the arms, the 

 tail rolled up on itself and disposed between the hind-legs. The sifakas live 

 exclusively on vegetable substances — leaves, fruits, and flowers — their diet 

 not being varied, as in the other groups, by small birds, eggs, or insects. 

 Their life is almost entirely arboreal, for which the muscles of their hands 

 and feet, as well as the parachute-like fold of skin between their arms and 

 bodies, and their peculiarly hook-like fingers are most fitted. The young 

 one is carried about by its mother on her back, its hands grasping 

 her arm-pits tightly. 1 he sifakas are held in great veneration or fear 

 by the natives of Madagascar, and are never intentionally killed by 

 them." 



The third and last generic representation of the sub-family is the woolly 

 avahi (Avahis lanige7a), distinguished from the last by the 

 greater length of the tail, the short muzzle, and the total Avahi 



concealment of the ears by the fur, which is of a soft, {Avahis). 

 woolly nature. 



The second sub-family of the Lemtiridre, which is likewise confined to 

 Madagascar and the Comoro Islands, is typically represented by the true 

 lemurs. It is distinguished from the last by the presence 

 of 36 teeth in the adult, the shorter relative length of the True Lemurs 

 hind-limbs, and the free hind-toes ; all the former having long (Lemur). 

 tails. As a genus the true lemurs are characterised by the 

 elongated muzzle, the conspicuous, tufted ears, and the separation of the 

 upper incisor teeth both froni one another and from the c.inines ; the 

 two teats of the female being situated on the breast. The genus 

 contains eight si^ecies, among which the ring-tailed lemur (Lemur citttn) 

 is peculiar on account of the character from which it takes its name, and 

 likewise from its dwelling among rocks instead of in trees. Strictly noc- 



