MAMMALS 493 



there is a pair of milk- glands situated on the chest, but these 

 may be supplemented by others placed in the abdominal region. 

 In the majority of species the number of young is limited to one, 

 or it may be two, and all Lemurs are born in a helpless condition. 

 In many cases the mother carries her young one about with her, 

 and it holds on firmly to the under side of her body, lying cross- 

 wise, in the position which is of least hindrance to climbing (fig. 

 1005). One species at least possesses a well-marked vestige of 

 a marsupial pouch, which fact has suggested to Beddard the 





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Fig. 1005. — Lemur {Letmtr nijjfrons) carrying her Young 



following interesting remark (in The Cambridge Natural His- 

 tory): — "One is tempted to wonder how far the habit which 

 certain Lemurs have of carrying their young across the abdomen 

 with the tail wrapped round the body of the mother is a remi- 

 niscence of a marsupial pouch ". The little Mouse- Lemurs some- 

 what resemble Dormice in appearance and habits. Lydekker 

 (in The Royal Natural History) makes the following remarks 

 about the Dwarf Mouse -Lemur {Microcebus pusillus), one of 

 the smallest of these: — "The dwarf mouse-lemur builds beauti- 

 fully-constructed nests of twigs, lined with hair, in the tops of 

 the lofty trees where it delights to dwell. These nests somewhat 

 resemble those of a rook both in form and size, and are used not 

 only as diurnal resting-places, but as cradles for the young." 



Apes, Monkeys, and Men (Primates). — Even if the human 

 species be left out of consideration we must regard this order 



