54: 



SPECIES OF THE GENUS LEMUR 



Eing-tailed Lemur, or the " Madagascar Cat " of sailors. Lemur 

 macaco shows a remarkable sexual dimorphism, the male being 

 black, and the female — formerly described as a distinct species, 

 L. leucviiitistax — being reddish brown with white whiskers and 

 ear tufts. This led to a confusion with a totally distinct species, 

 L. riifipes, of which the male (regarded as distinct and called 

 L. nigerriiiius) is entirely black. This latter identification is, 

 however, considered by Dr. Forsyth Jlajor ^ to be not quite 

 certain at present. 



The young Lemur is at least sometimes carried by the mother 

 across her belly ; its tail jjasses round her back and then round 

 its own neck. 



The Lemurs of this genus agree with those of some other 

 fjenera in the loudness of their voice, which is constantly 



'**^^^.^ 



Fig. 259. — Ruffed Lemur. Lemur varins. 



exercised. Some move about by day and others by night. They 

 are insectivorous and carnivorous as well as vegetarian ; and Mr. 

 Lydekker suggests - tliat their abundance and hardiness is to be 

 traced to this fondness for a mixed diet. Lemur catta seems to 

 be the only member of the genus that is not arboreal. It lives 

 among rocks where but few trees, and those much stunted, occur. 

 ]\Iany species of Lemur are always to be seen in the Zoological 

 Society's Gardens. Fourteen " species " have at one time or 

 another been exhibited. 



Sub-Fam. 3. Galagininae. — This sub-family is found on the 

 continent of Africa as well as in Madagascar ; but the genera are 



^ Proe. Zool. Sue. 1899, p. 554. 

 - Eoyal Xatural Hislury, London, 1894, p. 211. 



