140 
ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. 
natural genus, differing from the Lemurs of the same 
author in many highly important characters. It is to 
be regretted that M. Geoffroy should not have applied 
the latter name to the species to which it was originally 
given by Linnseus, and to which alone it is in any degree 
applicable ; the Madagascar animals at present com- 
prehended under it not presenting even one of those 
characters on which Linnseus himself states that his 
generic name was founded. 
In common with the latter group the genus Loris 
forms part of that division of the Quadrumanous Order 
which is essentially distinguished by an unequal num- 
ber or irregular disposition of the incisor teeth in the 
two jaws ; terminal nostrils with sinuous openings ; and 
a long subulate or sickle-shaped claw upon the fore- 
finger of the hinder hands, all the rest of the nails 
being flat and rounded like those of the greater part of 
the monkeys and of man. The Loris differ from the 
other genera of this family in having four incisors in 
the upper jaw, placed in pairs with a vacant space 
between, and six in the lower, directed obliquely for- 
wards ; canines of moderate size ; twelve molars above 
and ten below ; a short rounded head ; and little or no 
tail. Sometimes, it would appear, the lateral incisors 
of the upper jaw, which are always smaller than the 
others, are either entirely wanting or so minute as not 
to be easily seen. But M. Geoffroy was enabled to 
detect them in the identical specimen which Vosmaer 
had declared not to possess them ; and it is by no 
means improbable that future investigators may ascer- 
tain their existence in the stuffed individuals sent from 
Java by M. Leschenault, of which M. Geoffroy has 
made a new species, principally on account of the 
supposed absence of these teeth. In addition to these 
primary characters the Loris are distinguished by large 
prominent eyes, placed in front of the head and at no 
