116 



GALEOPITHECUS VOLANS. FLYING COLUGO. 



Galeopithecus Volans. 



Lemur Volans. L. caudatus, membrana ambiente <volitans. Lin. 



Syst. Nat. p. 45 . 

 Vespertilio admirabilis. Bontius joi>a. 68. /. 69. 

 Felis volans ternatea. Seba mus. i.p. 93. t. 58./". z, 3. 

 Cato-Simius volans Camelli. Petiv. gaz. 14. t. g.f. 8. 

 Galeopithecus. Pallas act. acad. petrop. 1780. p. 280. t. J, 8. 

 Flying Macauco. Pennant Quadr. I. p. 234. pi. 50. 



The Colugo is a native of the Molucca and 

 Philippine islands, where it is said to frequent 

 woody places, and to feed principally on fruits. 

 It almost constantly resides on trees, and makes 

 use of its membranes in the same manner as the 

 flying squirrel. In descending from the top of a 

 tree, it spreads its membranes,, and balances itself 

 to the place it aims at in a gentle manner; but 

 in ascending it uses a leaping pace. It has two 

 young, which are said to adhere to its breasts by 

 the mouth and claws. The whole length of the 

 animal is about three feet: the breadth, when ex- 

 panded, nearly the same : the tail is slender and 

 about a span long. The membrane, or expansile 

 skin, by which it is enabled to fly, is continued, 

 on each side, from the neck to the fore feet; 

 thence to the hind feet; and again to the tip of 

 the tail : it is not naked, like the skin of a bat's 

 wing, but covered with fur, in the same manner 

 as the body: the inner or lower side, however, 

 appears membranaceous, and is marked by nume- 



